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1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

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A     COLLECTION 


op 


SUNDRY    PUBLICATIONS, 

ND  OTHER  DOCUMENTS, 


"PON    THE   PRIvix.  ARMED  BRia 

GEN^IRAL    ARMSTRONG 

OP   NEW-YORK, 
COMMANDED  BY  S.  C.  REID, 

*  ««  aeth  OP  SEPTEMBER,  1814 

AT  Tlia  ISLAND  OP  PAYAL,  ' 

BT  HI.  «R,TA,f^,C  MAJESTf ',  SHIPS    PLANTAq,^^^     „^„^,, 

"O-^-K.  AK.  C.R..x,0.  a.OOP  0, ".«''"' 


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A  COLLECTION 


OF 


SUNDRY    PUBLICATIONS, 

AND    OTHER    DOCUMENTS, 


IN    RELATION    TO    THE     ATTACK     MADE    DURING    THE    LATE    WAR 
UPON    THE    PRIVATE    ARMED    BRIG 


GENERAL    A.RxMSTRONG, 

OF   NEW-YORK, 

« 

COMMANDED  BY  S.  C.  R  '^D, 
ON  THC  NIGHT  OF  THE  SBth  OF  SEPTEMBER,  ldl«« 

AT  THE  ISLAND  OF  FAYAL, 

BY  H18  BRITANNIC  MAJESTY's  SHIPS  PLANTAGENET  SEVENTY-POUR, 
ROTA  FRIGATE,  AND  CARNATION  SLOOP  OF  WAR. 


NEW- YORK: 

PRINTED  BY  JOHN  GRAY,  110  FULTON-STREET 

1833. 


<. 


^"]U 


REMARKS. 


It  may  not  be  amiss  to  bring  to  the  recollection  of 
the  reader,  circumstances  showing  the  influence 
which  the  action  of  the  Armstrong  at  Fayal,  had 
on  the  movements,  and  final  success  of  General 
Jackson  at  New-Orleans,  although  Jackson  and 
Reid  were  neither  of  them  conscious  of  it  at  the 
time. 

The  action  with  the  Armstrong,  commanded  by 
Capt.  Reid,  was  on  the  26th,  of  Sept.  1814.  The 
fleet  commanded  by  Admiral  Cochrane  and  des- 
tined for  the  expedition  against  New-Orleans,  was 
at  that  moment  waiting  at  Jamaica  for  the  Squa- 
dron commanded  by  Capt.  Lloyd,  which  had  been 
dispatched  from  England  with  orders  to  join  the 
fleet  at  Jamaica,  with  all  convenient  speed.  Capt. 
Lloyd  however,  with  an  honest  zealfor  his  Britannic 
Majesty's  service,  on  being  informed  of  the  fact, 
that  the  Gen.  Armstrong  wns  then  actually  lying 
in  the  harbour  of  Fayal,  very  naturally  concluded 
that  such  a  vessel  might  be  useful  to  the  expedition 
of  which  he  was  to  compose  a  part  ;  and  ordered 
the  immediate  capture  of  this  Rebellious  Yankee 
vessel.  The  attack  was  accordingly  made — the 
result  of  which  appears  in  the  following  pages. 

When  Lloyd  arrived  at  Jamaica,  and  it  was  told 
to  the  Admiral  and  to  General  Packenham,  what 
had  befallen  him,  that  he  had  sustained  a  loss 
of  about  200  of  his  best  men,  and  had  in  con- 
sequence been  detained  at  Fayal  above  ten  days, 
they  were  exceedingly  indignant ;  and  loaded  Lloyd 
with  bitter  reproaches. 


ir 


REMARKS. 


To  show  more  clearly  the  influence  of  Captain 
Reid's  action  upon  the  expedition  iixtendcu  for 
New-Orleans,  it  is  necessary  to  notice  the  following" 
dates. 

Cochrane's  fleet  arrived  ofl"  New-Orleans  on  the 
5th  of  December,  and  General  Jackson  arrived  at 
the  City  on  the  10th  of  the  same  month. 

Now  it  is  manifest  that  if  Cochrane  and  Llo)'d 
had  arrived  10  days  sooner,  (say  25th,  Nov.)  the 
British  army  might  have  marched  into  and  taken 
possession  of  New  Orleans,  before  the  American 
forces  could  by  any  possibility  have  arrived. 


iptaiM 
d  for 

n  the 
ed  at 

Llo)'d 
)  the 
Laken 
ricau 


I 


DOCUMENTS,     &c. 


Letter  from  the   American   Consul  to  Captain  Reidi 

You  have  performed  a  most  brilliant  action  in  beat* 
ing  off  Fourteen  Boats  of  the  British  ships,  in  this 
Road.  They  say  they  will  carry  the  Brig,  cost  what 
it  will,  and  that  the  Brig  will  haul  in  to  attack  you  at 
the  same  time  the  boats  do.  My  dear  fellow  do  not 
uselessly  expo-  <ilf  if  attacked  by  an  overwhelm- 

ing fores,  buf  .       he  Brig   near  the  beach   and 

come  on  shore  ^rave  crew. 

Yours  truly, 

J.  B.  Dabney. 

Two  0^  Clock,    Tuesday  Morning, 
Sept.    27  1814. 


Savannah,  Nov.  26,    1814, 
DESTRUCTION  OF  THE  GEN.  ARMSTRONG. 

Arrived  here,  on  Thursday  evening  last,  from  Fayalj 
via  Amelia,  fourteen  of  the  crev/  of  the  privateer  Gen. 
Armstrong,  Capt.  Reid,  who  report,  that  18  days  after 
leaving  New- York  they  put  into  Fayal ;  that  about  2 
hours  after  coming  to  anchor,  the  British  brig  Carnation 
of  18  guns,  came  in  and  anchored  within  gun-shot  of 
the  Armstrong,  and  immediately  manned  three  of  her 


2 

barges,  at  which  time  the  Rota  frigate  and  Plantagenet 
74  also  stood  into  port.  When  the  brig*s  boats  came 
within  hail,  Capt.  R.  ordered  them  to  keep  off — they, 
however,  continued  pulling  for  the  A.  when  the  boats 
were  fired  into  from  her,  which  killed  8  or  10  of  the 
enemy.  The  74  and  frigate  perceiving  this,  forthwith 
manned  16  barges,  with  about  450  men;  the  G.  A. 
then  cut  her  cables,  and  warped  in  direct.'y  under  the 
guns  of  the  fort.  13etween  11  and  i2  o'ck  "k  at  night, 
the  whole  number  of  barges  were  discovered  from  the 
Armstrong,  within  pistol  shot,  when  at  the  moment, 
they  were  t^bout  dividing  into  four  divisions,  a  broadside 
from  the  long  tom  and  3  long  9's  were  fired  into  them, 
which  put  the  enemy  into  much  confusion,  killing  the 
1st  lieut.  of  the  frigate,  who  commanded  the  barges, 
and  many  others.  The  whole  of  the  barges  then  came 
under  the  Armstrong's  bow,  keeping  up  a  continual 
fire,  which  was  returned  from  on  board  with  great 
spirit.  Several  attempts  were  made  to  board  the  Arm- 
strong, but  were  repulsed,  with  great  destruction  to  the 
enemy.  The  barges  finding  that  they  could  not  carry 
her,  hauled  off  until  morning,  when  they  renewed  the 
attack,  the  brig  in  company.  The  G.  A.  commenced 
with  a  brisk  fire  on  the  brig  and  barges,  and  continued 
it  for  some  time  ;  but  finding  the  force  of  the  enemy 
was  too  great,  and  seeing  no  hopes  of  saving  the  ship, 
Capt.  Reid  gave  orders  to  cut  away  the  masts  and  rig- 
ging, and  to  fire  three  nine  pounders,  through  her  bot- 
tom. This  was  promptly  executed,  when  the  crew 
then  abandoned  her,  and  arrived  safe  on  shore.  Thus 
..M  the  Armstrong  into  the  hands  of  the  British,  after 
a  resistance  worthy  the  cause  which  animated  her  gal- 
lant officers  and  crew.  The  enemy,  on  taking  posses- 
sion of  the  Armstrong,  finding  her  so  much  injured 
and  in  a  sinking  condition,  set  her  on  fire.  The  G.  A. 
had  killed,  A.  O.  Willipins,  1  seamen,  and  7  wounded. 
Loss  of  the  enemy,  160  killea,  and  150  wounded,  as 
acknowledged  by  them — the  number,  however,  sup- 
posed to  be  greater. 

The  Armstrong's  force  was  6  long  9's  and  a  42 
pounder  midships,  with  a  complement  of  90  men. 


■r  ». ,  ,->*i  K-.\» 


The  commandant  at  Fayal  despatcherl  a  boat  to  thi 
^nemy,  forbidding  an  attack  on  the  Gen.  Armstrong. 
The  answer  returned,  was,  that  if  he  attempted  to  pro- 
tect her,  they  would  fire  on  the  town. 

Capt.  Reid  is  expected  in  town  from  St.  Mavy's, 
when  we  shall,  no  doubt,  have  a  further  and  more  par- 
ticular account  of  this  affair. 


a  42 


I 


Copy  of  a  letter  from  our  Coi  vCt  at  Fayal  to  the  Secre- 
tary of  State. 

Fayal,  5th  October,  1814. 

Sir — I  h-^vethe  honour,  io  state  to  you  that  a  most 
outrageous  violation  of  the  neutrality  of  this  port,  m  v.'.teT 
contempt  of  the  laws  of  civilized  nations,  has  recently 
been  commited  here  by  the  commanders  of  his  Britannic 
majesty's  ships  Plantagenet,  Rota  and  Carnation, 
against  the  American  private  armed  brig  General  Arm- 
strong, Sam.  C.  Reid  commander,  but  I  have  great 
satisfaction  in  being  able  to  add,  that  this  occurrence 
terminated  in  one  of  the  mo^it  brilliant  actions  on  the 
part  of  Captain  Reid,  his  brave  officers  and  cew,  that 
can  be  found  on  naval  record. 

The  American  brig  came  to  ani^hor  in  this  port  in 
the  afternoon  of  the  26th  of  September^  and  at  sunset 
of  the  same  day,  the  above  named  ships  suddenly  ap» 
peared  in  these  roads ;  it  being  nearly  calm,  in  the  port, 
it  was  rather  doubtful  if  the  privateer  could  escape  if  she 
got  under  way,  and  relying  on  the  ju.-tice  ?,nJ  g.^o.t 
fkith  of  the  British  captams  it  was  deemed  most  pru- 
dent to  remain  at  anchor. — A  little  after  dusic  Captain 
Reid,  seeing  some  suspicious  movements  on  the  part  of 
the  British,  began  to  warp  bis  vessel  close  under  the 
guns  of  the  castle,  and  while  doing  so,  he  was  at 
about  eight  o'clock,  P.  M.  approached  by  four  boats 
from  the  ships  filled  v/ith  armed  men.  After  hailing 
them  repeatedly  and  w^arning  them  to  keep  cfF,  he  order* 


I 


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i. » 


M 


* 


ed  his  men  to  fiie  on  them,  and  killed  and  wounded 
several  men.     The  boats  returned  the  fire  and  killed 
one  man  and  wounded  the  first  Lieutenant  of  the  priva- 
teer, and  returned  to  their   ships,  and,  as  it  was  now 
light  moonlight,  it  was  plainly  perceived  from  tho  brig 
as  well  as  from  the  shore,  that  a  formidable  attack  was 
premeditating.     Soon  after  midnight,  twelve  or  more 
large  boats   crowded   with  men  from   the   ships  and 
armed  with  carronades,    swivel»  and    blunderbusses, 
small  arms,  &c.  attacked  the  brig ;  a  severe  contest 
ensued  which  lasted  about  forty  minutes,  and  ended  in 
the  total  defeat  and  partial  destruction  of  the  boats, 
with  a  most  unparalleled  carnage  on  the  part  of  the 
British.     It  is  estimated  by  good  judges  that  near  400 
men  were  in  the  boats  when  the  attack  commenced, 
and  no  doubt  exists  in  the  minds  of  the  numerous  spec- 
tators of  the  scene  that  more  than  half  of  them  were 
killed  or  wounded  ;  several  boats  were  destroyed ;  two 
of  them  remained  alongside  of  the  brig  literally  loaded 
with  their  own  dead.     From  these  two  boats  only  17 
reached  the  shore  alive ;  most  of  them  were  severely 
wounded.     The  whole  of  the  following  day  the  British 
were  occupied  in  burying   their  dead  ;  among  them 
were  two  'ewts.  and  one  midshipman  of  the  Rota — 
the  first  lieut.  of  the   Plantagenet,  it  is   said,   cannot 
survive  his  wounds,    and   many  of  the  seamen   who 
reached  their  ships  were  mortally  wounded,  and  have 
been  dying  daily.— Tlie  British,  mortified  at  this  signal 
and  unexpected  defeat,  endeavour  to  conceal  the  extent 
of  the  loss  ;  they  admit  however  that  they  lost  in  kill- 
ed and  who  have  died  since  the  engagement,  upwards 
of  120  of  the  flower  of  their  officers  and  men.     The 
captain  of  the  Rota  told  me  he  lost  70  men  from  his 
ship.     Two  days  after  this  afftiir  took  place  the  British 
sloops  of  war  Thais  and  Calypso  cainc  into  port,  when 
Capt.  Lloyd  immediately  took  them  into  requisition  to 
carry  home   the  wounded  officers  and  seamen — they 
have  sailed  for  England,  one  on  the  2d   and  the  other 
on  the  4th  inst.  each  carried  25  badly  wounded.     Thoso 
who  were  slightly  wounded,  to  the  number,  as  I  am  ia- 


I 


I 


formed,  of  about  30,  remained  on  board  of  their  respec- 
tive ships,  and  sailed  last  evening  for  Jamaica.  Strict 
orders  were  given  that  the  sloops  of  war  should  take 
no  letters  whatever  to  England,  and  those  orders  were 
rigidly  adhered  to. 

In  face  of  the  testimony  t)f  all  Fpval  and  a  number 
of  respectable  strangers  who  happened  to  be  in  this 
place  at  the  moment,  the  British  commander  endeavours 
to  throw  the  odium  of  this  transaction  on  the  American 
captain,  Reid,  alleging  that  he  sent  the  boats  merely 
to  reconnoitre  the  brig,  and  without  any  hostile  inten- 
tions. The  pilots  of  the  port  did  inform  them  of  the 
privateer  the  moment  they  entered  the  port.  To  recon- 
noitre an  enemy's  vessel  in  a  friendly  port,  at  night, 
with  four  boats,  carrying  by  the  best  accounts  120  men 
is  certainly  a  strange  proceeding !  The  fact  is,  they  ex- 
pected as  the  brig  was  warping  in,  that  the  Americans 
would  not  be  prepared  to  receive  them,  and  they  had 
hopes  of  carrying  her  by  a  "coupde  main."  If  any 
thing  could  add  to  the  baseness  of  this  transaction  on 
the  part  of  the  British  commander,  it  is  want  of  can- 
dour openly  and  boldly  to  avow  the  facts.  In  vain  can 
he  expect  by  such  subterfuge  to  shield  himself  from 
the  indignation  of  the  world  and  the  m.erited  resentment 
of  his  own  government  and  nation  for  thus  trampling 
on  the  sovereignty  of  their  most  ancient  and  faithful 
ally  and  for  the  wanton  sacrifice  of  British  lives. 

On  the  part  of  the  Americans  the  loss  was  compara- 
tively nothing,  two  killed  and  seven  slightly  wounded  ; 
of  the  slain,  we  have  to  lament  the  loss  of  the  second 
Lieut.  Mr.  Alexander  O.  Williams  of  New- York,  a 
brave  and  meritorious  officer. 

Among  the  wounded  are  Messrs.  Worth  and  John- 
ston, first  and  third  Lieutenants ;  Capt.  Reid  was  thus 
deprived,  early  in  the  action,  of  the  services  of  all  his 
Lieutenants;  but  his  cool  and  intrepid  conduct  secured 
him  the  victory. 

On  the  morning  of  the  27th  ult.  one  of  the  British 
ships  placed  herself  near  the  shore  and  commenced  a 
heavy  cannonade  on  the  privateer.     Finding  further 

2* 


l!tl 


I '  I 


PI 


it 


6 

resistance  unavailing,  Capi.  Reid  ordered  her  t"  be 

sent  their  boats  and  set  her  on  fire. 

remonstrance  to  the   comni..naer  oi  '         h  , 

wnnM  raiise  him  to  desist  from  any   tmtner  J"«'"^ 
The  GovernoriSdignant  at  what  had  passed,  but  fcel- 
S^S'ot'aUy'unable,  with  the  sle.^der  mean  he 
possessed,  to  resist,  such  a  f«c^  took  the  P«n  ot^j^j 

monstrating,  wh.ci  he  -^  <'.'°/°'"^n  J  „„  other  ef- 
terms.     His  letter  to  Captam  Lloyd  had     oo 

feet  than  to  produce  a  menacing  ^e^^^^^^ 

highest  degree.    No  hing  c-xn  ex 

oAhe  public  authorities    ^^^f^^^^J^d  enormity. 

description  of  Pe'^^^^f^'f'B^^i^h  W  deslroy  this  vessel. 
Such  was  the  rage  of  theBntifitoa        y 

"""'  "Vf^"nhS«  wire  wounded  and  a  number 
some  of  the  inhabitanis  we  strongest  repro- 

of houses  ^vere  much  damaged^     1  he  stronge        p^^_ 

sentations  on  this  subject  are  prepc^ea  oy 

harassed  extremely.     At  length  Captain  Y°Uecution, 

of  losing  more  men  if  he  P"t  h  ^  'h^ts 

adopted  this  stratagem  ;  he  "•'•W'9ssea  »-n  o 

to  the  Governor,  stating  that  '"  'he  Ameiumn  c 

were  two   men   who   'J>-'^«ted   froin  his  squa 

seamen  here  passed  an  examination  of  the  BnUsn  ora 


I 


i 


i 


Lo  be 
event 
I  after 

st  at- 
ixcel- 
'  such 
on  as 
tempt. 
it  feel- 
xnshe 
of  re- 
lectful 
her  ef- 
in  the 
nation 
ks  and 
Drmity. 
vessel, 
town; 
lumber 
t  repre- 
Gover- 

eatened 
vateer's 

among 
igear  ".c 
ive  been 

fearful 
lecution, 
ial  letter 
\Xi  crew 
,dron   in 
ason,  he 
ordingly 
.merican 
i  as  they 
rs,  all  the 
itish  offi- 


cers but  no  such  persons  were  to  be  found  among  them, 
iwks  requested  by  the  Governor  and  British  Consul  to 
nt^nd  this  humiliating  examination,  as  was  also  Cap- 
Sn  Re?dl  bTwe  declinedto  sanction  by  our  presence 

'"^^pfR^jrha^protested  against  the  British  com- 
mande  s  of  the  squadron  for  th.  unwarrantable  de- 
TcUon  o'f  his  velel  in  a  neutral  and  «  po^  , 
as  also  against  the  government  of  Portugal  lor  ineir 

^^t'^ouW:  government  will  feel  themselves  bound 
to  make  ample  indemnification  to  the  owners,  officers 
and  ciew^  this  vessel,  for  the  great  loss  they  have 

^7S=?as  ^sible  trar^- -l^ri^ 
this  transaction  to  our  Minister  at  Rio  Janerio  tor  tn.s 

^'iTreThe  honour  tobe,  with  great  respect,  sir,  your 
most  obedient  servant.  ^^^^  ^  pABNEY. 

To  the  Secretary  of  State  of  V.  S. 
Washington, 

We  this  day  present  our  reaeters  ^^'^.^.^^l^^^J^^ 
gallant  Capt  Reid's  Letter  detailmg  '"^  J"^  «f  7^?^^^^^ 
Victory  over  the  ene.ny,  in  'he  harbour  of  the  neuWai 
portof  Fayal,  in  their  late  attack  upon  the  private  armea 
brig  General  Armstrong,  of  this  port. 

We  have  also  been  f'^voured  with  Capt   Re  ds  pro 
test,  mc.de  before  our  Consul,  Mr    Dab»eya^  Fayal 
setting  forth  the  gross  violation  by  the  British  ottne 
neutrality  of  Fayal.    The  protest  is  long,  and  will  be 

^tltr'thTsa^nnah  head,  our  -ders  are  r^^erred 
to  the  British  account  of  their  attact  upon  the  C,ener^ 
Armstrong,  copied  from  a  Jamaica  paper.-Mcrc.  Adv. 

New-York,  December  15, 1814. 

The  following  is  Captain  Keid's  account  of  his  Re- 


r 


-m 


li 

I 


8 

to'?he%'Shnr^'!ff  ?."''?)?"'  ^''^^*'  ^"'^ '^  communicated 
to  theeduors  of  the  Mercantile  Advertiser  for  publica- 

Fapal,  ith  October,  1814. 

evemualiv'^fnn' '?'''  ^"'"  constrained  to  say  it  has 
eye.  tuallj  fa  len  to  my  lot  to  state  to  you  the  loss  and 
total  destruction  of  the  private  armed  brig  Gen?  Ann 
strong,  late  under  my  command.  ^ 

9th  nif'"'^^^  '"u""  ^^■^''^  ^°°^  0°  'he  evening  of  the 
9th  ult.  and  about  midnight  fell  in  close  aboard  of  a 

noon'  ZitV  'K  ''"^l  ^'^^^  P"'^"^d  "''"''  day 
un  tne  nth,  after  a  nine  hour's  chase,  boarded  the  nri. 
vate  armed  schr  Perry,  John  Colmin,  6  days  from 
Philadelphia  ;  had  thrown  over  all  his  guns  o"T 
following  day  fell  i„  with  an  enemy's  |un  bris  et 
changed  a  few  shots  with,  and  left  him.  ^  On  the^kth 

shrall'frt'r'H"""  ""'  "'^°"'^'' '""'  -  Po""!-- 
snip,  all  fiom  the  Havanna.     On  the  26th  followino- 

caZ""'  '."/Y"'  ^"^O^'  '■» "^^ Purposeof fi  ling  wa^ef  • 
ca  led  on  the  American  Consul,  who  very  polite^v  or- 
de.e<  our  water  immediately  sent  off;  it  befngCr'nten. 
tion  to  proceed  to  sea  early  the  next  day.     At  5  P  M 

n'^or.n':"":  'trr'  -^^  -'-  o^her  gentlemfn' 
company,  l  asked  some  quest bns  conreminn. 
enemy's  crmzers,  and  was  told  there  had  been,?one  If 
these  Islands  for  several  weeks ;  when  about  du"l  whit 
we  were  conversing  the  British  brig  Carnation  sudden 
\y  hove  m  sight  close  under  the  K  E.  head  of  the  bar' 
bour  withm  gunshot  when  first  discovered.  The  lea 
of  getting  under  way  was  instantly  suggested  hni 
finding  the  enemy's  brig  had  the  advantage  of  a  bie^^e 

we  should  t  T'/'"  "^'  "  ""^  "^°"ght  .iLbS'uT  if 
we  should  be  ab  e  to  get  to  sea  without  hazardin-  an 
action.    I  questioned  the  Consul  to  know  [f  Tn  Ws 

port  rHetr""^  ''°""  r^"''  "^«  "^"""a'i'y  0?  ,he 
self  perfect^r!  "'  '°  ""de^tand  I  might  make  my! 
seit  perlectly  easy,  assuring  me  at  the  same  lime  thev 
would  never  molest  u,  whilt  at  anchor  Tut  n™solnTr 


IM 


1   r 


i 


3mmunicated 
r  for  publica- 

^ber,  1814. 

3  say  it  has 
the  loss  and 
Gren.  Arm- 

Jning  of  the 
aboard  of  a 
till  next  day 

over  chase, 
fded  the  pri- 
•  days  from 
:is.  On  the 
1  brig-;  ex- 
)n  the  24th, 
Portuguese 

following", 
hng  water  ; 
politely  or- 
?  our  inten- 
At  5  P.  M. 
gentlemen 
concerning 
en  none  at 
usk,  while 
on  sudden- 
of  the  har- 

The  idea 
3sted;  but 
>f  a  breeze 
loubtful  if 
arding  an 

if  in  his 
iy  of  the 
lake  my* 
time  they 
no  sooner 


9 

did  the  enemy's  brig  understand  from  the  pilot-boat  who 
we  were,   when  she  immediately  hauled  close  in  and 
let  go  her  anchor  within  pistol  shot  of  us.     At  the  same 
moment  the  Plantagenet,  and  frigate  Rota,  hove  in  sight, 
to  whom  the  Carnation  instantly  made  signal,  and  a 
constant  mterchange  took  place  for  some  time.     The 
result  was  the  Carnation  proceeded  to  throw  out  all  her 
boats ;  despatched  one  on  board  the  commodore,   and 
appeared  otherwise   to  be  making  unusual  exertions, 
i^rom  these  circumstances  I  began  to  suspect  their  real 
mtentions.     The  moon  was  near  its  full,  which  enabled 
us  to  observe  them  very  minutely ;  and  I  now  determined 
to  haul  m  nearer  the  shore.     Accordingly,  after  clear- 
mg  for  action  we  got  under  way,  and  began  to  sweep  in. 

inst^nl^t?""^"!  ?''  '^??  °^'^'^^^  ^y  ^^^  enemy's  brig,  she 
.o!.to  -^  ^^^  ^^^  ^^^^^'  "^^<^«  sail,  and  despatched  four 
boats    in  p^rs^t  of  us.     Being  now  about  8    P.  M  as 

r/hof  cTt®  '^^  ^^^  ^°^*'  approaching,   we  let  go  our 
anchoi,  got  springs  oa  our  cable,  and  prepared  to  receive 
^T\  u  ^^\^^^,?^em  repeatedly  as  they  drew  near,  but 
they  fe  t  no  inclination  to  reply.     Sure  of  their  game, 
they  only  pulled  up  with  the  greater  speed.     I  observed 
tne  boats  were  well  manned,  and  apparently  as  well 
armed  :  and  as  soon  as  they  had  cleverly  got  alongside 
we  opened  our  fire,  which  was  as  soon  returned ;  bui 
meeting  with  rather  a  warmer  reception  than  they  had 
probably  been  aware  of,  they  soon  cried  out  for  quarters 
and  hauled  off.     In  this  skirmish  I  had  one  man  killed 
and  rny  first  lieutenant  wounded.     The  enemy's  loss 
mus  have  been  upwards  of  twenty  killed  and  wounded. 
1  liey  had  now  repaired  to  their  ships  to  prepare  for 
a  more  formidable  attack.     We.  in  the  interim  having 
taken   the  hint,  prepared  to  haul  close  in  to  the  beach 
where  we  rnoored  head  and  stern  within  half  pistol  shot 
of    he  castle.     This  done,  we  again  prepared  in  the 
best  possible  manner  for  their  second  reception.    About 
flppi  ofY'''",       aT^  the'enemy'p  brig  towing  in  a  large 
fleet  of  boats.     They  soon  after  left  the  brig  and  took 
their  stations  in  three  divisions,  under  covert  of  a  small 
reel  ot  rocks,  within  about  musket  shot  of  us.     Here 
tney  continued  mancEUvring  for  some  time,  the  brig  still 


10 

keeping  under  way  to  act  with  the  boats,  should  we  at 
any  time  attempt  our  escape. 

The  shore  was  lined  with  the  in  habitants,  waiting 

the  expected  attack ;  and  from  the  brightness  of  the 

moon,  they  had  a  most  favourable  view  of  the  scene. 

1  he  governor,  with  most  of  the  first  people  of  the  place, 

stood  by  and  saw  the  whole  affair. 

At  length  about  midnight,  we  observed  the  boats  in 
motion,  our  crew  having  laid  at  their  quarters  during 
the  whole  of  this  mterval)  They  came  on  in  one  di- 
rect Ime,  keeping  in  close  order ;  and  we  plainly  counted 

tweive  boats. As  soon  as  they  came  within  proper 

distance  we  opened  our  fire,  which  was  warmly  return- 
ed  from  the  enemy's  carronades  and  small  arms.  The 
discharge  from  our  Long  Tom  rather  staggered  them  : 
but  soon  recovering,  they  gave  three  cheem,  and 
oame  on  most  spiritedly.  In  a  mom-nt  they  succeeded 
m  gaining  our  bow  and  starboard  quarter,  and  the 
word  was  Board.  Our  great  guns  now  becoming  use- 
iess,  we  attacked  them  sword  in  hand,  together  with 
our  pikes,  pistols,  and  musketry,  from  which  our  lads 
poured  on  them  a  most  destructive  fire.  The  enemy 
made  frequent  and  repeated  attempts  to  gain  our  decks, 
but  were  repulsed  at  all  times,  and  at  all  points,  with 

the  greatest  slaughter. About  the  middle  of  the  ac- 

tion  1  received  intelligence  of  the  death  of  my  second 
l^ieutenant ;  and  soon  after  of  the  third  Lieutenant  beino 
badly  wounded.     From  this  and  other  causes,  I  found 
our  fire  had  much  slackened  on  the   forecastle;  and, 
fearful  of  the  event,  I  instantly  rallied  the  whole  of  our 
after  division,  who  had  been  bravely  defending  and  now 
had  succeeded  in  beating  the  boats  off  the  quarters.-- 
1  hey  gave  a  shout,  rushed  forward,  opened  a  fresh 
fire,  and  soon  after  decided  the  conflict,  which  termi- 
nated in  the  total  defeat  of  the  enemy,  and  the  loss  of 
many  of  cheir  boats :  two  of  which,  belonging  to  the 
Kota  we  took  possession  of,  literally  loaded  with  their 
own  dead.     Seventeen  only  escaped  from  them  both, 
who  had  swam  to  the  shore.     In  another  boat  under  our 
quarter,  commanded  by  one  of  the  Lieutenants  of  the 
i^lantagenet,  qll  were  killed  saving  four.     This  I  have 


should  we  at 

a.nts,  waiting; 
htness  of  the 
of  the  scene. 
3  of  the  place, 

I  the  boats  in 
arters  during 
on  in  one  di- 
linly  counted 
vithin  proper 
armly  return- 
I  arms.     The 
•gered  them  ; 
cheerflf,    and 
ey  succeeded 
er,    and  the 
scorning  use- 
)gether  with 
lich  our  lads 
The  enemy 
n  our  decks, 
points,  with 
lie  of  the  ac- 
'  my  second 
tenant  being 
ses,  I  found 
castle;  and, 
vhole  of  our 
ng  and  now 
quarters. — 
ned  a  fresh 
hich  termi- 
[  the  loss  of 
ring  to  the 
1  with  their 
them  both, 
It  under  our 
ants  of  the 
Phis  I  have 


11 

from  the  Lieutenant  himself,  who  further  told  me  that 
he  jumped  overboard  to  save  his  own  life 

The  duration  of  this  action  was  about'  40  minutes 
Our  deck  was  now  found  in  much  confusion,  our  Lonff 
Tom  dismounted,  and  several  of  our  carriages  broken  • 
many  of  our  crew  having  left  the  vessel,   and  others 
disabled      Under    these  circumstances,  however    we 
i    succeeded  m  getting  Long  Tom  in  his  birth,   and  the 
decks  cleared  m  some  sort  for  a  fresh  action,  should  the 
enemy  attack  us  again  before  daylight.-About  3  A. 
M.  I  received  a  message  from  the  American  Consul 
requesting  to  see  me  on  shore,   where  he  informed  me 
the  Governor  had  sent  a  note  to  Captain  Lloyd,be£^^inff 
him  to  desist  from  further  hostilities.     To  which  Cap- 
tain Lloyd  sent  for  answer,  that  he  was  now  determined 
to  Have  the  privateer  at  the  risk  of  knocking  down  the 
whole  town ;  and  that  if  the    Governor  suffered  the 
Americans  to  injure  the  privateer  in  any  manner  he 
should  consider  the  place  an  enemy's  port,  and  trea't  it 
accordingly.     Finding  this  to  be  the  case,  I  considered 
all  hopes  of  saving  our  vessel  to  be  at  an  end.     I  there- 
fore went  on  board,  and  ordered  all  our  wounded  and 
dead  to  be  taken  on  shore,  and  the  crew  to  save  their 
effects  as  fast  as  possible.-Soon  after  this  it  became 
day.ight,  when  the  enemy's  brig  stood  close  in,  and  com- 
menced  a  heavy  fire  on  us  with  all  her  force.     After 
fn'^W \  n   K '"^"^  '^'  ^^"^"^  °^  ^^^^"^  received  a  shot 

wr^Z.f)fV'^'''^  '"''^^  ^"^'  ^"^  ^^'  foretopmast 
wounded ;  (of  this  I  was  informed  by  the  British  Con- 
sul.) bhe  soon  after  came  in  again,  and  anchored  close 
to  the  privateer.  I  then  ordered  the  Armstrong  to  be 
scuttled,  to  prevent  the  enemy  from  getting  her  off 
She  was  soon  after  boarded  by  the  enemy's  boats,  and 
set  on  fire,  which  soon  completed  her  destruction. 

1  Hey  have  destroyed  a  number  of  houses  in  the  town 
and  murdered  some  of  the  inhabitants.  ' 

By  what  I  have  been  able  to  learn  from  the  British 

about  400  officers  and  men  m  the  last  attack  by  the 
boats,  of  whicn  120  were  killed  and  about  J  30  .^nd- 
ea. Oaptam  Lloyd,  I  am  told  by  the  British  Consul 


iji-l 


12 

is  badlywounded  in  the  leg;  a  jury  of  Surgeons  had 
been  held,  who  gave  as  their  opinion  that  amputation 
would  be  necessary  to  insure  his  life.  Tis  said,  how- 
ever, that  the  wound  was  occasioned  by  i  "i  Oa;  tread- 
ing on  him.  The  fleet  has  remained  here  about  a  week, 
during  which  they  have  been  principally  employed  in 
burying  their  dead,  and  taking  care  of  fheir  wounded. 
Three  days  after  the  action  they  were  joined  by  the 
ship  Thais  and  brig  Calypso  (two  sloops  of  war)  who 
were  immediately  taken  into  requisition  by  Captain 
Lloyd,  to  take  home  the  wounded  men. — The  Calypso 
sailed  for  England  with  part  of  the  wounded,  on  the 
2d  mstant,  among  whom  was  the  first  Lieutenant  of  the 
Plantagenet.  The  Thais  sails  this  evening  with  the 
remainder.  Capt.  Lloyd's  fleet,  sailed  to  day,  supposed 
for  the  West-Indies. 

The  loss  on  our  part,  I  am  happy  to  say  is  compara- 
tively trifling ;  two  killed  and  seven  wounded.  With 
regard  to  my  oflicers  in  general  I  feel  the  greatest  sa- 
tisfaction in  saying  they  one  and  all  fought  with  the 
most  determined  bravery,  and  to  whom  I  feel  highly  in- 
debted for  their  officer-like  conduct  during  the  short 
period  we  were  together ;  their  exertions  and  bravery 
deserved  a  better  fate. 

I  here  insert  for  your  inspection,  a  list  of  the  killed 
and  wounded. 

KILLED. 

Mr.  Alexander  O.  Williams,  2d  Lieut,  by  a  musket 
ball  in  the  forehead,  died  instantly ;  Burton  Lloyd, 
Seaman,  do.  through  the  heart,  do . 

WOUNDED. 

Fredk.  A.  Worth,  1st  Lieut,  in  the  right  side. 
Robert  Johnson,     3d    do.     left  knee, 
Bazilla  Hammond,  Qr.  Master,  leO  ^rm, 
John  Piuer,  Seaman,  knee, 
Wm.  Castle,     do.     arm, 
Nicholas  Scalsan,  do.  arm  and  leg, 
John  Harrison,  do.  hands  and  face,  by  the  explosion 
of  a  gun. 


Surgeons  had 
,t  amputation 
i'is  said,  how- 
t  "I  Ox  tread- 
about  a  week, 
employed  in 
eir  wounded, 
joined  by  the 
of  war)  who 
L  by  Captain 
The  Calypso 
inded,  on  the 
Atenantof  the 
ing  with  the 
lay,  supposed 

7  is  compara- 
nded.  With 
>  greatest  sa- 
ght  with  the 
3el  highly  in- 
ng  the  short 
and  bravery 

of  the  killed 


13 

It  gives  me  much  pleasure  to  announce  to  you  that 
our  wounded  are  all  in  a  fair  way  of  recovery,  throurrh 
the  unremitted  care  and  attention  of  our  worthy  surffeon 

Mr.  Dabney,  our  Consul,  is  a  gentleman  possefsTn.' 
every  feelmg  of  humanity,  and  to  whom  the  utmos*? 
gratitude  is  due  from  u.s  for  his  great  care  of  the  Tick 

and  myse^  '  '"^  ^^  ^'^^'  ""^"^^°^  ^°  "^^  ^^^^rs 
Mr.  Williams  was  a  most  deserving  and  promising- 
officer.  His  country,  in  him,  has  lost  ofe  of  itsE^s^ 
ornaments;  and  his  death  must  be  sadly  lamemed  bv 
all  who  knew  his  worth.  -^ 

Accompanied  with  this  you  will  find  a  copy  of  mv 
r^bn!'   '^fi!^''  ^^'^  ^'^'''  '^  1^"«^«  written  by  M^ 

Hne^   ni^'  ^r'"''  °^  ^^^^^'  °"^  Minister  a^t  ^o 
Janeiro,  and  our  Secretary  of  State.     These  letters  will 

nZlZr'  ''"^  '^'  circumstances  of  this  Su! 

We  expect  to  sail  to  morrow  in  a  Portuffuese  brio-  for 
Amelia  Island,  which  takes  the  whole  of  our  ere  w^  til 
slrvTnt  ''"''''"  ^^"^1^"^^".  your  very  obedient  hunible 

SAM.C.  REID. 


»y  a  musket 
irton  Lloyd, 


side. 


he  explosion 


4 


PROTEST 

Of  Captain  Reid,  of  the  private  armed  brig  General 
t2T^'      "''"^  ''  ^"  yesterday's  Mercantile  Id- 

CONSULATE  OF  FAYAL. 

AZORES. 

,„«-["'!',^"''''°  '"^trument  of  Declaration  and  Pro- 
test, be  It  known  unto  all  persons  whom  it  doth  or  ma  v 
concern.  That  on  this  present  day,  being  the  t went? 
seventh  day  of  September,  eighteen  hunSanTC 
een,  before  me,  JOHN  B.  DABNEY,  Consul  of  th. 
Un.,ed  States  for  the  Azores,  persotWly^lpplet 

o 


14 

Samuel  C.  Reid,  Commander  of  the  American  armed 
bng  General  Armstrong,  of  New- York,  of  two  hundred 
and  forty-six  tons,  American  measurement,  &c.  and  on 
oath  declared  as  follows,  to  wit :  that  he  sailed  in  and 
with  said  brig,  from  the  port  of  New- York,  on  the  ninth 
day  of  September,  last  past,   well  found,  staunch  and 
strong,  and  manned  with  ninety  officers  and  men,  for 
a  cruise ;  that  nothing  material  happened  on  the  pas- 
sage to  this  Island,  until  the  twenty-sixth  instant,  when 
she  cast  anchor  in  this  port,  soon  after  twelve  o'clock 
at  noon,  with  a  view  to  get  a  supply  of  fresh  water  ; 
that  during  the  said  afternoon  his  crew  were  employed 
in  taking  on  board  water— when  about  sunset  of  the 
same  day,  the  British  brig  of  war  Carnation,   Captain 
Bentham,  appeared  suddenly  doubling  round  the  north- 
east point  of  ihis  port:   she  was  immediately  followed 
by  the  British  ship  Rota,  of  thirty-eight  guns,  Captain 
i  .  Somerville,  and  the  seventy-four  gun  ship  Planta- 
genet,  Captain  Robert  Lloyd,  which  latter,  it  is  under- 
stood, commanded  the  squadron.     They  all  anchored 
about  7  o'clock  P.  M.  and  soon  after  some  suspicious 
movements  on  their  part,  indicating  an  intention  to  vi- 
olate the  neutrality  of  the  port,  induced  Captain  Reid 
to  order  his  brig  to  be  warped  in  shore,  close  under  the 
guns  of  the  castle;  that  in  the  act  of  doing  so,  four 

boats  approached  his  vessel,  filled  with  armed  men 

Captain  Reid  repeatedly  hailed  them,  and  warned  them 
to  keep  off;  which  they  disregarding,  he  ordered  his 
men  to  fire  on  them,  which  was  done,   and  killed  and 
wounded  several  men;   the  boats  returned  the  fire,  and 
killed  one  man,  and  wounded  the  first    Lieutenant. 
1  hey  then  fled  to  their  ships  and  prepared  for  a  second 
and  more  formidable  attack;  the  American  brio-,  in  the 
mean  time,  was  placed  within  half  cable's  lengtli  of  the 
shore,  and  within  half  pistol  shot  of  the  castle.     Soon 
mer  midnight,  twelve,  or  as  some  state,  fourteen  boats 
supposed  to  contain  nearly  four-hundred  men,  with  small 
cannon,  swivels,  blunderbusses,  and  other  arms,  made 
a  violent  attack  on  said  brig,  when  a  severe  conflict  en- 
sued, which  lasted  near  forty  minutes,  and  terminated 


V  ^ 


f  J 


i 


lerican  armed 
f  two  hundred 
it,  &c.  andoix 
sailed  in  and 
:,  on  the  ninth 
staunch  and 
and  men,  for 
d  on  the  pas- 
instant,  when 
tvelve  o'clock 
fresh  water ; 
ere  employed 
3unset  of  the 
ion,   Captain 
nd  the  north- 
tely  followed 
uns,  Captain 
ship  Planta- 
r,  it  is  under- 
all  anchored 
le  suspicious 
tention  to  vi- 
'aptain  Reid 
•se  under  the 
)ing  so,  four 

led  men 

varned  them 
ordered  his 
d  killed  and 
the  fire,  and 
Lieutenant, 
for  a  second 
I  brig-,  in  the 
ength  of  the 
istle.     Soon 
irteen  boats, 
i,  with  small 
arms,  made 
conflict  en- 
terminated 


:'i 


15 

in  the  total  defeat  and  partial  destruction  of  the  boats 

"Tht^roTtVe'S^:  - '1-  ZT'^^  ^^'^ 
lieutenant  and  one  seZTnZl^,,  ^   ri^ern^: 

cannonade  on  the  American  bri:' •  wLnS^ntalR'^ 
findmff  further  ri>sio(in/.„  ,       °.'.*''°™  l-aptain  Reid 

vessel   after  narfai!^.""'"'"'^'    abandoned  the 

.herefore  desires  meTo  ut  hiP  P^  }  ^:''h: b v fh""' 
presents  does  most  solemnly  protest  5atn,,^^''"S 
Llojd,  commandernf  ih«=,;j  _,^    "^^  '"^  ^^^ 

the  other  eommanlr  oaTnTl^T'  ''"''  '"'^''""^' 
this  infamous  attack  on  hi  In  -     ^u  ""^^^"'^  '" 

neutral  friendlv  ^n      And  ,!,»    T^  ^^>^en  ijing  in  „ 
protests  against  t^hrGofe^    t'f'pX'J  t' S 
uuibihty  to  protect  and  defend  theneutrtu'v  nf'ih 
X  ^e  '^sHt""'  •''^  '''"  »^^-"  al     -d°  ev'   y 

C.  ReidTrred'-iST  '^^T^  ^^  "^«  -i-^  Samuel 
Johnson  third  ieut7n.mRl^''"-'''"i""""''  «°''^« 
."aster,  John  BrZ^Zl  iZ^n^^nl  f //"^ 
captam  of  marines  Thnmo.  d  '  """f"  E.  Allen, 
Eliphalet  Sheffield  \„dS  tZ°""'  ^"""'^  ^='^''' 
the  said  brig  GenerarArmstron?'""'  pnze-masters  of 

■S."ttS  oteTs'ftr ''"  fr 

[-.jtn-^i^imS^'oV'^^^^^^^^^ 

and  fourteen.        ^'P'""^"-  ^'^hteen   hundred 

JOHN  B.  DABNEY. 


16 


t^ 


Fayal,  Oct.  15,  1814. 

Wm.  Cobbett,  Esq. — Sir,  the  American  Brig  pri- 
vateer  General   Armstrong,   of    New- York,    Captain 
Samuel  C.  Reid,  of  seven  guns  and  ninety  men,  entered 
here  on  the  26th  ult.  about  noon,  seventeen  days  from 
that  place,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  water.     The 
Captain  seeing  nothing  on  the  horizon,  was  induced  to 
anchor.  Before  the  elapse  of  many  hours,  his  Majesty's 
brig  Carnation  came  in  and  anchored  near  her.    About 
six  his  Majesty's  ship  Planiagenet,  of  seveny-four  guns, 
and  the  Rota  frigate,  came  in  and  anchored  also.    The 
Captain  of  the  privateer  and  his  friends  consulted  the 
first  authorities  here  about  her  security. — They  all  con- 
sidered her  perfectly  secure,  and  that  his  Majesty's  offi- 
cers were  too  well  acquainted  with  the  respect  due  to  a 
neutral  port  to  molest  her.     But  to  the  great  surprise 
of  every  one,  about  nine  in  the  evening,  four  boats  were 
dispatched,   armed  and  manned  from   his   Majesty's 
ships,  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  her  out.  It  being  about 
full  of  moon,  the  night  perfectly  clear  and  calm,  we 
could  see  every  movement  made.  The  boats  approached 
with  rapidity  towards  her,  when,  it  appears  the  Cap- 
tain of  the  privateer  hailed  them,  and  told  them  to  keep 
off  several  times.     They,  notwithstanding,  pushed  on, 
and  were  in  the  act  of  boarding  before  any  defence  was 
made  for  the  privateer.  A  warm  contest  ensued  on  both 
sides.     The  boats  were  finally  dispersed  with  great  loss. 
— The  American,  i    w  calculating  on  a  very  superior 
force  being  sent,  cut  his  cables,  and  rowed  the  privateer 
close  in  along  side  of  the  fort,  within  half  cable's  length, 
where  he  moored  her,  head  and  stern,  with  four  lines. 
The  Governor  now  bent  a  remonstrance  to  the  Van 
Lloyd  of  the  Planiagenet  against  such  proceedings,  and 
trusted  that  the  privateer  would  not  be  further  molested  ; 
she  being  in  the  dominions  of  Portugal,  and  under  the 
guns  of  the  castle,  was  entitled  to  Portuguese  protec- 
tion. Van  Lloyd's  answer  was,,  that  he  was  determined 
to  destroy  the  vessel  at  the  expense  of  all  Fayal,  and 
should  any  protection  be  given  her  by  the  fort,  he  would 


'.  15,  1814. 

:an  Brig  pri- 
ork,  Captain 
'  men,  entered 
en  days  from 
water.  The 
as  induced  to 
his  Majesty's 
r  her.  About 
ny-four  guns, 
ed  also.  The 
consulted  the 
rhey  all  con- 
liajesty's  ofR- 
spect  due  to  a 
;reat  surprise 
ur  boats  were 
lis  Majesty's 
t  being  about 
.nd  calm,  we 
3  approached 
jars  the  Cap- 
them  to  keep 
r,  pushed  on, 
'  defence  was 
isued  on  both 
th  great  loss, 
very  superior 
the  privateer 
ible's  length, 
th  four  lines. 
I  to  the  Van 
seedings,  and 
ler  molested ; 
nd  under  the 
guese  protec- 
s  determined 
I  Fayal,  and 
art,  he  would 


17 

not  leave  a  house  standing  in  the  village.    All  the  in- 
habitants were  gathered  about  the  walls,  expectin*  a 
renewal  of  the  attack.   At  midnight,  fourteen  launches 
were  discovered  to  be  coming  in  rotation  for  the  pur- 
pose    When  they  got  within  clear,  or  gun  shot,  a  tre- 
mendous and  effectual  discharge  was  made  from  the 
privateer  which  threw  the  boats  into  confusion.     Thev 
now  returned  a  spirited  fire,  but  the  privateer  kept  up 
so  continual  a  discharge,  it  was  almost  impossible  for 
the  boatc  to  make  any  progress.     They  finally  succeed- 
ed,  after  immense  loss,  to  get  along  side  of  her,  and 
attempted  to  board  at  every  quarter,  cheered  by  the 
officers  witn  a  shout  of  no  quarters,  which  we  could 
distinctly  hear,  as  well  as  their  shrieks  and  cries.     The 
termination  was  near  about  a  total  massacre.     Three  of 
t..e  boats  were  sunk,  and  but  one  poor  solitary  officer 
escaped  death  in  a  boat  that  contained  fifty  souls-  he 
was  wounded.     The  Americans  fought  i«'ith  great 
firmness.     Some  of  the  boats  were  left  without  a  sniffle 
man  to  row  them ;   others  with  three  and  four.     The 
most  that  any  one  returned  with  was  about  ten.     Se- 
veral  boats  floated  on  shore  full  of  dead  bodies      With 
great  reluctance  I  state  that  they  were  manned  with 
picked  men,  and  commanded  by  the  first,  second,  third 
and  fourth    Lieutenants   of    the  Plantagenet  •   first' 
second^  third,^  and  fourth  ditto  of  the  frigate,  and  the 
first  officers  ot  the  brig ;  together  with  a  great  number 
of  midshipmen— Our  whole  force  exceeded  four  hun- 
dred men.— But  three  officers  escaped,  two  of  which 
are  wounded     This  blt)ody  and  unfortunate  contest 
lasted  about  forty  minutes.    After  the  boats  gave  out 
nothing   more  was  attempted  till  daylight  the  next 
morning,  when  the  Carnation  hauled  in  alone-  side  and 
engaged  her.    The  privateer  still  continued  to  make  a 
most  gallant  defence.     These  veterans  reminded  me  of 
Lawrence's  dying  words  of  the  Chesapeake,  "don't 
give  up  the  ship."-The  Carnation  lost  one  of  her  top 
masts,  and  her  yards  were  shot  away;  she  was  much 
cut  up  111  rigging,  and  received  several  shot  in  her  hull 
This  obliged  her  to  haul  off  to  repair,  and  to  r«as. 

3»  -     •  ^' 


1 


•t      !*' 


M    »  f 


■ 


18 

firing. — The  Americans  now  finding  their  principal 
gun  {lo7ig  Tom)  and  several  others  dismounted,  deemed 
it  foll}^  to  think  of  saving  her  against  so  superior  a 
force;  they  theicfore  cut  away  her  masts  to  the  deck, 
blew  a  hole  through  her  bottom,  took  out  their  small 
arms,  clothing,  &c.  and  went  on  shore.  I  discovered 
only  two  shot  holes  in  the  hull  of  the  privateer,  although 
much  cut  up  in  rigging.  Two  boat's  crews  were  soon 
after  dispatched  from  our  vessels,  which  went  on  board, 
took  out  some  provisions,  and  set  her  on  fire.  For  three 
days  after,  we  were  employed  in  burying  the  dead  that 
washed  on  shore  in  the  surf.  The  number  of  British 
killed  exceeds  one  hundred  and  twenty,  and  ninety 
wounded.  The  enemy  to  the  surprise  of  mankind,  lost 
only  two  killed  and  seven  wounded. — We  may  well 
say  "  God  deliver  us  from  our  enemies,  if  this  is  the  way 
the  Americans  fight."— After  burning  the  privateer, 
Van  Lloyd  made  a  demand  of  the  governor  to  deliver 
up  the  Americans  as  his  prisoners,  which  the  governor 
refus'  d.  He  threatened  to  send  five  hundred  men  on 
shore  and  take  them  by  force.  The  Americans  imme- 
diately retired,  with  their  arms,  to  an  old  Gothic  con- 
vent;  knocked  away  the  adjoining  drawbridge,  and  de- 
termined to  defend  themselves  to  the  last.  The  Van, 
however,  thought  better  than  to  send  his  men.  He  then 
dema  .ded  two  men,  who,  he  said,  deserted  from  his 
vessel  when  in  America.  The  governor  sent  for  the 
men,  but  found  none  of  the  description  given. 

Many  houses  received  much  injury°on  shore  from 
the  guns  of  the  Carnation.  A  woman,  sitting  in  the 
fourth  story  of  her  house,  had  her  thigh  shot  W,  and 
a  boy  had  his  arm  broken.  The  American  Consul 
here  has  made  a  demand  on  the  Portuguese  government 
for  a  hundred  thousand  dollars  for  the  privateer,  which 
our  consul,  Mr.  Parkin,  thinks  in  justice  will  be  paid 
and  that  they  will  claim  on  England.  Mr.  Parkin' 
Mr.  Edward  Bayley,  and  other  English  gentlemen! 
disapprove  of  the  outrage  and  depredation  committed 
by  our  vessels  on  this  occasion.  The  vessel  that  was 
aispalched  to  England  with  the  wounded,  was  not  per- 


^ 


r  principal 
ed,  deemed 
superior  a 

0  the  deck, 
their  small 
discovered 

r,  although 

1  were  soon 
t  on  board, 

For  three 
)  dead  that 
of  British 
ind  ninety 
nkind,  lost 
;  may  well 
is  the  way 

privateer, 
r  to  deliver 
e  governor 
ed  )nen  on 
ans  imme- 
xothic  con- 
?e,  and  de- 

The  Van, 
.   He  then 

I  from  his 
nt  for  the 

shore  from 
ing  in  the 
ot  off,  and 
n  Consul 
overnment 
eer,  which 

II  be  paid, 
r.  Parkin, 
gentlemen, 
committed 
[  that  was 
13  not  per- 


Id 

milled  to  take  a  single  letter  from  any  person      R.ino. 
an  eye-wilness  to  this  transirtinn    i  i..,  "^^^"^ 

correct  statement  as  it  oc~d    '        '' '  ^^"'"  ^'°^  ^■ 

With  respect,  I  am,  &c. 
H.  K.  F. 


CITY  OF  WASHINGTON. 

Saturday,  Jan.  25,   1817. 
Congress. 

We  publish,  this  day,  the  report  of  the  committee  of 
the  Senate  on  the  petition  of  the  owners  of  the  m  ktm 
armed   r,g  General  Armstrong,  elarm  ng  °ndem.^  y  fo 
Jhe^^struenon  of  the  said  vessel  in  the  port  of  71%  1^ 

The  report  is  unfavourable  to  the  nraver  of  ibo  n„ 
...uoners,  and  the  .Reasons  set  forth  are'  tit  and  eoncL': 
w  h  ,"%'?  ""  '^''^'^  principle  of  law  or  enuitv  under 
which  the  United  States  can  be  called  up2n  to  mke 
good  a  loss  sustained  under  the  circumstances  of  °hr,  re 
■sent  case.  In  the  attack  and  destruction  of  the  General 
Armstrong,  a  flagrant  violation  of  the  neuTramv  o  a 

o  civilized  powers  unite  in  pointing  out  the  correct 
d  ?.t;thS  ••="""  '"  *'-"">|indemnm:S' 

1  ere  rno  doub  I  ■  u'^'r''""''''  <"■  ""^  "•'">^='clion 
uitie  is  no  iloubt  but  the  Poituguese  ."overnmcnt  will' 

on  prompt  representations,  make  good"  a  1  the  losV      ' 
tamed  on  this  occasion,  and  although  not  a  subioct  nro 
l)er  to  be  debated  upon,  we  feel  i     doubt Vho,  .k    n   P-  ?' 

mentfor  the  assumption  of  this  claim,  irrougln  on  bv 

he  imprudent  zeal  and  culpable  conduct  of  hfr  officers 

s,„  1  ^'?'  ."'^"Sh  the  government  of  the  Sd 


1^ 


a 


T 


20 

The  committee  of  the  Senate  ^vould  not  permit  them- 
selves to  report  without  paying  a  just  tribute  to  the 
ffallant  efforts. of  Captain  Reid  and  his  httle  crew  in 
repelUnff  an  attack  made  under  such  discouiigmg  cir- 
cumstances. It  can  never  cease  to  be  an  object  ot 
astonishment  and  just  pride  to  the  nation ;  and  tne 
more  that  defence  and  its  awful  effects  are  examined 
the  more  securely  we  may  roly  on  the  skill  and  bravery 
of  our  officers  and  seamen.  Captain  Reid,  we  under- 
stand, is  not  interested  in  the  General  Armstrong,  nor 
does  he  petition  for  indemnification  or  relief;  he  has, 
however,  no  less  claims  on  the  liberal  consideration  ot 
his  country. 


I*  ' 


li 


CONGRESS. 

The  naval  committee  of  the  senate,  to  whom  has 
been  referred  the  memorial  of  Frederick  Jenkins  and 
Rensselaer  Havens,  in  behalf  of  the  owners,  officers, 
and  crew  of  the  late  private  armed  brig  General  Arm- 
strong. 

Report : 

That  the  memorialists  state,  that  on  the  26th  of  Sep- 
tember, in  the  year  1814,  while  the  pri-  ate  armed  brig 
General  Armstrong  was  lying  at  anchor  in  the  port  ol 
Fayal,  she  was  attacked  by  a  superior  British  lorce, 
and,  after  a  brave  resistance  by  her  commander,  Samuel 
C.  Reid,  and  his  valiant  crew,  was  destroyed,  liiey 
also  state,  that  the  vessel  and  armament  cost  forty-two 
thousand  dollars,  and  pray  that  such  relief,  indemnity, 
or  compensation  may  be  extended  to  the  owners,  otti- 
cers,  and  crew  of  the  privateer,  as,  under  the  peculiar 
circumstances  attending  her  destruction,  may  be  deemed 
by  congress  just  and  equitable. 

The  committee  are  left  to  conjecture  the  grounds  on 
which  the  memorialists  rely  for  a  remuneration  or  in- 
demnity from  their  own  government.  It  is  presumed, 
however,  that  if  the  claim  must  be  supported  at  all,  on 
one  of  two  grounds :  First,  because  the  vessel  and  ar- 


I 


4 


21 


it  them- 
j  to  the 
jrew  in 
ing  cir- 
bject  of 
md  the 
camined 
bravery 
e  under- 
jng,  nor 
he  haSj 
ration  of 


hom  has 

iins  and 

officers, 

ral  Arm- 


h  of  Sep- 
med  brig 
le  port  of 
sh  force, 
,  Samuel 
I.  They 
forty-two 
idemnity, 
ners,  offi- 
)  peculiar 
)o  deemed 

rounds  on 
ion  or  in- 
presumed, 
at  ail,  on 
el  and  ar- 


i 


mament  were  destroyed  by  the  public  enemy  in  a  neu- 
tral port,  and  in  violation  of  the  laws  of  nations ;  or 
Secondly,  because  the  brave  and  gallant  defence  of  Cap- 
tain Reid,  his  officers,  and  crew,  entitle  them  to  the 
bounty  of  the  government. 

The  committee  are  unable  to  perceive,  what  rights  of 
mdemnity  the  citizens  of  the  United  States  can  acquire 
agamst  their  own  government  for  losses  sustained  in 
consequence  of  the  violated  rights  of  a  third  party.     It 
is  the  duty,  no  doubt,  of  all  governments  to  extend  to 
the  person  and  property ^f  the  citizen  all  the  protection 
in  their  power.  •  It  is  the  end  of  all  governments  to  do 
!so.     It  is  the  right  of  the  citizen  to  make  known  his 
wrongs  to  his  government,  and  it  is  the  duty  of  the 
government  to  seek  redress  by  such  means  as  it  may 
deem  expedient.  The  neutrality  of  Portugal  was  gross- 
\y  violated  in  the  case  of  the  private  armed  ship  Gen. 
Armstrong.     It  was  the  duty  of  that  government  to 
preserve  her  neutral  character,  and  to  protect  the  brig, 
and  all  on  board,  from  any  hostile  attack  while  in  her 
port.     Either  f^om   want   of  ability  or   inclination  it 
failed  to  do  so ;   but  can  this  failure  to  support  its  own 
rights,  and  perform  its  duty  towards  us,  vest  a  right  in 
dXi  individual  to  come  on  his  own  government  for  in- 
demnity on  account  of  a  pecuniary  loss  ?     The  United 
States,  it  is  believed,  have  done,  or  will  do,  what  com- 
ports with  their  rights  and  their  character.     That  in- 
demnity from  Portugal  for  the  loss  of  this  property, 
should  be  insisted  on  as  an  affair  of  State,  is  perhaps 
highly  proper ;  but  the  committee  cannot  perceive  how 
the  weakness  or  the  delinquency  of  Portugal  can  im- 
pose on  the  United  States  the  duty  of  indemnifying  the 
memorialists  for  the  loss  of  the  brigand  her  armament. 
The  committee  believe  that  this  opinion  is  in  con- 
formity with  the  practice  of  this  government,  and  per- 
haps, of  all  governments.     Antecedent  to  thayear  1802, 
much  property  belonging  to  citizens  of  the   United 
States,  has  been  wrongfully  seized  by  the  cruisers  of 
France.     In  no  case,  known  to  the  committee,  did  this 
government  indemnify  its  citizens  from  its  own  trea- 


'I 


f 


mhmmm 


\i    I 


22 

sury.  Indemnity  was  sought  from  France  by  nego- 
tiation, and  obtained  in  the  Louisiana  convention.  Citi- 
zens of  the  United  States  at  this  moment,  have  claims 
to  a  vast  amount  against  the  governments  of  France, 
Spain  and  Naples,  for  property  seized  in  violation  ot 
ail  ri^'-ht  On  principle,  all  these  claimants  have  tne 
same^rio-ht  to  demand  indemnity  from  their  own  go- 
vernment as  the  memorialists  in  the  present  case ;  for,  m 
principle,  the  committee  can  see  no  distinction  between 
a  private  armed  ship  and  a  merchant  ship ;  nor  between 
property  captured  and  converted  to  th^  use  of  the  cap- 
tors, and  property  destroyed  by  a  third  party  omitting 

todoitsdutj^  ,,.,,•        r 

If  this  is  a  mere  appeal  to  the  liberality  of  congress  , 
if  the  memorialists  rely  for  the  success  of  their  applica- 
tion on  the  bravery,  gallantry,  and  good  conduct  ot 
Captain  Reid,  his  officers  and  crew,  in  the  defence  ot 
the  vessel,  then  the  committee  are  sensible  that  a  stronger 
case  of  the  kind  could  not  present  itself.     The  stubborn 
bravery,  the  cool  intrepidity,  and  presence  of  mmd  dis- 
played by  Captain  Reid,  and  his  associates,  in  the  de- 
fence  of  the  ship,  was  perhaps,  never  equalled,  certainly 
never  surpassed,  by  any  private  armed  vessel  in  the  an- 
nals of  naval  warfare.     It  has  excited  the  admiration 
of  the  nation,  and  cannot  fail  to  immortahze  those  con- 
cerned.    If  actions  Uke  this  are  to  be  rewarded  with 
money,  too  much  could  not  be  given ;  but  government 
is  but  the  trustee  of  the  nation,  and  is  bound,  deliberately 
to  examine  into  the  principle  on  which  the  treasure  of 
the  nation  is  bestowed,  and  the  extent  of  the  precedent 
which  is  set  in  bestowing  it.  It  is  unknown  to  the  com- 
mittee that  congress,  as  yet,  has  ever  dispensed  its  boun- 
ty, or  in  any  way  bestowed  a  gratuity  for  any  achieve- 
ment, except  to  its  own  peculiar  force  :  nor  in  any  case 
except  there  was  victory.     The  committee  are  of  opi- 
nion that  it  would  be  inexpedient  to  do  so.     It  would 
open  the  treasury  to  a  class  of  cases,  arising  out  of  the 
last  war,  which  would  be  extensive  and  erroneous.  The 
effect  of  such  a  men  sure  must  be  counted  on,  for  they 
would  be  felt  in  all  future  wars. 


(tl 


23 

The  case  of  the  Essex,  attacked  also  in  a  neutral 
situation,  IS  a  strong  one.  The  defence  there  too  was 
vahant,  persevering-,  and  highly  honourable  to  all  on 
board,  as  well  as  to  the  nation,  yet  Congress  has  dore 
nothing ;  for  the  essential  quahtj  of  victory  was  want- 
ing to  the  transaction.  The  committee,  therefore  in 
whatever  aspect  thej  view  the  application  of  the  me- 
morialists, are  of  opinion,  that  it  would  be  unsafe  and 
inexpedient  to  grant  it,  and  recommend  the  followincr 
resolution :  =• 

Resolved,  That  the  committee  on  naval  affairs  be  dis- 
charged from  the  further  consideration  of  the  memorial 
ot  J^rederick  Jen'ans  and  Rensselaer  Havens 


k 


HERO  OF  FAYAL. 

In  the  present  state  of  affairs,  both  foreign  and  do- 
mestic, we  know  not  how  we  can  better  discharo-e  our 
duty  to  the  readers  of  the  Chronicle  than  by  publish- 
ing the  following  documents,  relative  to  the  brilliant 
affair  at  Fayal,  when  Captain  Samuel  C.  Reid  so 
nobly  defended  the  privateer  General  Armstrong- 
against  a  very  superior  force.  Comment  is  unnece'i- 
sary. 

REPORT. 

Of  the  Committee  on  Naval  Affairs,  on  the  petition  of 
Capt.  Samuel  C.  Reid,  accompanied  with  a  bill  au- 
thorizing a  sum  of  money  to  be  distributed  arnonr 
the  officers  and  crew  of  the  late  private  armed  bri*- 
the  Gen.  Armstrong.  * 

March  4,  1818. 

Read,  and  with  the  Bill  committed  to  a  committee  of 

the  whole  House  on  Monday  next. 

The  Committee  on  Naval  Affairs,  to  whom  was  re- 
ferred the  petition  of  Samuel  C.  Reid,  captain  of  the 
late  private  armed  brig,  the  Gen.  Armstrong,  on  behalf 
ot  himself,  the  officers  and  crew  of  the  said  brig, 


Ujk******'' 


24 


Ml! 

1 


't 


u 


HEPORT '.  nptition  and  other  documents, 

seven  guns  and  nme.  v  men^e  the  po^^  of  i;.  ^  ^^^^  ^^ 
on  0.  ctuise,  early  in  Sep^nai'er.  '»'''>  j  ^^  ^^  of 
the  same  ^o^/lj.fiy^^en/VSem  Islands,  belong- 
f:i:l'rJ:^oiXT.::x^in  the  evening  of^  the 

rrh:sria::ndtheb^^^^^^^^^^^ 

this  second  contest  several  of  the  enemy  s  uuai 


».  I 


25 

American  consul,  requesting  to  see  him  on  shore  ;  when 
he  repaired  thither,  the  consul  informed  him  that  the 
Portuguese  governor  had  addressed  a  note  to  the  com- 
mander of  the  British  squadron,  protesting  against  his 
violatmg  the  neutrality  of  the  port,  and  requiring  him 
to  cease  from  further  outrage  on  those  whom  it  was 
his  duty  to  protect;     To  this  note  captain  Llojd  return- 
ed a  menacing  reply,  that  he  woula  take  the  Armstrong 
at  every  hazard,  and  if  she  was  injured  by  her  crew- 
he  would  consider  the  place  as  an  enemy's  port,  and 
treat  it  accordingly.     During  the  last  action  with  the 
boats,   the   Armstrong  lay  within   pistol   shot   of  the 
castle.     Captain  Reid  then  returned  on  board  his  ves- 
sel, and  about  day-break  a  cannonade  was  commenced 
from  one  of  the  enemy's  vessels  on   the   Armstrong. 
Thus  situated,  finding  the  enemy  determined  to  perse- 
vere in  their  outrage,  and  from  the  immense  superiority 
of  their  force,  knowing  it  would  be  impossible  to  save 
his  vessel,  Captain  Reid  having  due  regard  for  the  safe- 
ty of  his  comrades  who  had  so  nobly  supported  him 
determined  to  scuttle  her  and  leave  iier ;  this  he  did' 
when  she  was  immediately  set  on  fire  by  the  enemy 
and  destroyed.    In  these  several  contests,  from  good  in!, 
formation,  there  is  reason  to  believe  the  loss  of  the  ene- 
my at   a  moderate  calculation,  amounted  at  least  to 
250  men  m  killed  and  wounded ;    that  of  the  Ameri- 
cans was  two  killed  and  seven  wounded.   The  petition 
further  states,  that    this  British   squadron  was  on  its 
way  to    the  West  Indies  to  join  the  force  destined  to 
make  an  attack  on  New  Orleans;  that  in  consequonce 
of  the  injury  which  they  sustained,  their  junction  was 
so  much  retarded,  and  the  expedition  so  much  delayed 
that  the  Americans  had  time  to  prepare  for  the  defence 
of  that  place,  which,  but  for  this  circumstance,  could 
probably  not  have  been  effected.     The   petition  con- 
eludes  with  a  prayer  that  Congress  would  bestow  some- 
thing  on  those  who  so  gallantly  defended  the  Ameri- 
can flag,  under  circumstances  so  hopeless;  and  who  in 
the  contest  loit  nearly  the  whole  of  their  little  all 
Tins  case  has  engaged  much  of  the  atteution  of  the 


•V 


'i 


li 


n 


r 


hUt 


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26 

committee.    They  do  not  believe  that  the  annals  of  our 
goverment  furnish  a  precedent  of  rewards  bestowed  on 
men  situated  as  were  the  crew  of  the  Armstrou^r,  not 
in  the  public  service.     They  are  fully  aware  also  of 
thevveight  attached,  and  justly  attached  to  precedents 
which  have  been  settled  on  due  consideration  ;  it  would 
therefore,  be  with  much   reluctance  that  they  would 
•consent  to  establish  one,  to  which  an  appeal  might  be 
made  in  future  cases  somewhat  analogous  in  principle. 
But  on  mature  reflection,    apprehensions  from  the  pre- 
cedent which   may  be  established   by  this  case,  are 
much  diminished.     It  will  not  be  going  too  far,   in  the 
opinion  of  the  committee,   to  say  that  amojig  all  ike 
ackierejneuts  which  embellish  the  annals  of  the  late 
war  there  was  not  one  which  surpassed  that  now  under 
consideration.     A  few  brave  rnen  in  the  mid  lie  of  the 
Atlantic  Ocean,  who  had  no  personal   interest  in  the 
preservation  of  the  vessel  they  defended,  and  the  mere 
preservation  of  which   without  a  miracle,    muit  have 
been  impracticable,  could  have  been  actuated  by  nothing 
short  of  the  noblest   motives  which  impel  men  to  the 
achievement   of  valiant   deeds;  those    motives   could 
have  been  only  their  own  honour  and  the  glory  of  the 
flftg  under  which  they  fought.     They   knew  well  the 
high  value  which  was  placed   by  their  coimtry  on  the 
risnig  reputation  of  their  infant  navy;  they  knew  it 
was  all  important  that  that  reputation  should  be  sus- 
tained by  Americans  in  whatever  situation  they  might 
be  placed;  and   impelled   by  these  generous  motives, 
and  these  alone,  they  hazarded  every  thmg  to  accom- 
plish their  object.     They  succeeded  ;  and  though  after 
two  complete  victories,   the  second   gained  under  cir- 
cumstances of  the  greatest  inequality,  they  were  ulti- 
mately obliged   to  yield   to  a   superior  force,    yet    the 
honor  of  the  flag   w;.s  suppoited,    and  the  American 
character  raised  to  an  elevation  calculated  to  produce 
the  mOot  beneficial    effects.     Should    this  Congress  be- 
stow on  these  galUmt  men  some  mark  of  their  bounty, 
the  committee  think  it  would  be  well  bestowed  ,   and 
should  it  have  the  effect  of  producing  similar  exertions 


27 

in  future  wars,  and  this  precedent  be  pleaded  in  eun. 
CO  ntf.wn/'r  »PP"^*"°-.  they  do  n'ot  belt  ^th^: 
sZu  {„m  L  """'"  '"  "Srei  the  application  of  a 

small  sum  to  a  purpose   so  beneficial.  -From  all  ths 

0  the  House,  the  passa,w  of  a  bill  herewith  reported 

strong:  the  sum  of  ten  thousand  dollars. 


To  the  honourable  the  Congress  of  the  United  Stales 
m  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  c«.ven  d  ' 
1  he  memorial  of  Samuel  C.  Reid,   late  comma  der 

behalf  T,T  r'"^  brig-General  Armstrong    on 
behalf  of  the  officers  and  crew  of  the  said  vessel, 

RespectfMy  S/ieweth : 

That  on  the  20th  September,  1814,  the  said  vessel 
being  at  anchor  in  the  port  of  Fayai,  and  havir.  on 
board  a  crew  of  ninety  men,  and'seien  guns,  wnlat" 
acked  by  a  superior  force  under  the  command  of  CW 
modore  Lloyd,  and  that  the  said  vessel  was  finX 
burnt  and  destroyed.  ^^"uny 

For  the  details  of  that  action,   your  memoriaH^t  ro 

:rthVun'srt'°'" '^•j'''^"^"^^""~ 

It  would  not  become  your  memorialist  to  speak  of 
the  merit  (,f  any  there  was)  of  the   nflicers  and  crew 

of  the  Armstrong  in  that  action,     h    ra,.y  nevenhelesr 
be  allowed  to  state  as    t  fipf    th..f  ♦^         "cvciuieitss, 

Which  they  engaged    ^a^^^  pa     o^  t^hTt' tmail  li'^ 

S,  ^nrrnd'rtfh  •"  ™"'''  '^^.  ''--«'  "P-New! 
"he  action  It        '"J"-^  '?"""'''  ^y  'his  squadron 
unctbn  whh   th/fl  'f  "''°"^^'  t'^^y''^  f"^  '^  'hne  its 
thus  ?efx«led     h!  'hen  in  the  West  Indies,  aad 

eave,u'e;^f„   h!  P^^Svess  of  the  expedition,   ihich 

his  fo  ces  '"'  •^'''''°" '°  =<'"<'<='  and  arrang. 


28 

The  officers  and  crew  of  the  Armstrong  do  not  ar- 
rogate to  thernselves  any  personal  merit,  by  reason  of 
events  and  consequences  which  they  could  not  have 
foreseen.  Yet,  if  by  the  faithful  discharge  of  their 
duty  as  citizens,  they  have,  under  Providence,  been  the 
instruments  in  effecting  a  great  public  good,  they  may 
hope  thence  to  derive  a  fairer  claim  to  the  notice  of 
their  governmenl. 

Your  memorialist,  on  behalf  of  the  said  officers  and 
crew,  begs  leave  farther  to  observe,  that  when  they  were 
attacked  by  a  force  so  vastly  superior,  ai./.  when  there 
was  no  longer  a  hope  of  successful  resistance  or  of 
the  preservation  of  the  vessel,   they  would  have  been 
justified  to  t!ie  owners,   and  would  have  perhaps  es- 
caped the  reproaches  of  their  fellow  citizens  if  they 
had  abandoned  their' vessel,  and  sought  only  their  per- 
sonal safety.     But  they  owed  a  duty  to  their  country 
and  It  was  this  impulse  alone  that   could  induce  them 
to  make  such  a  resistance  at  the  expense  of  their  lives 
and  property,  no  other  object  being  in   view ;  and  they 
do  hope,   therefore,    that   their  case  may  not  be  con- 
founded  with   that   of  those  who    may  have    fouo-ht 
bravely  from  the  mere  prospect  of  gain.  "^ 

The  officers  and  crew  of  the  Armstrong  had  not  the 
advantages  of  being  in  the  immediate  employ,  nor  of 
enjoying. the  pay  and  emolument  of  government;  yet 
they  have  been  led  to  presume  that  a  service  rendered 
to  their  co.nitry  is  not  the  less  meritorious  for  having 
been  performed  without  the  obligation  of  contract  or 
previous  stipuhition  for  reward.  ' 

It  may  be  true  that  valiant  deeds  are  not  to  be  re- 
warded with  money,  yet  the  practice  of  our  own  go- 
vernment, and  that  of  every  civilized  nation  in  the  old 
world,  testifies  their  opinion,  that  sound  policy  requires 
that  the  citizens  or  subjects  who  perform  such  deeds 
as  attract  the  notice  of  government,  should  not  want 
the  means  of  decent  support;  and  congress  have  deign- 
ed to  bestow  and  our  naval  heroes  have  not  disdained 
to  receive  pecuniary  reward  for  services  they  may  have 
rendered  their  country  in  the  destruction  of  men  and 
ships  of  the  enemy. 


] 
\ 
t 
1 
I 
I 
t 


29 

gr?al  Vrivafion.,  rHtT™'''  '"^  """''"^  "l^"  ^"«''"-«'' 

Sta.esabow   heck  eof    h?''    '"'^^  '"  '^'^  United 
barrassmemV  nf  .  ^  '^'"''  ''"'^  ""'"ff  '»  the  em- 

unableT; any  e,  Srr  '"''  ""P"""-   have  been 
families  ba"e  ™bsis  Z  J    ''l^'""'''  /"  'I'^^^e'ves  and 

^     lu  uisuoss  in  the  bosom  of  their  own  country 

SAxMUEL  C.  REID. 

maa  tribute  to  heroic  bravery. 

Caftain  Reid,  of  the  General  Armstrono-  nrivatP», 

E£i3- - -~  wSb« 

Ian   sTr.nlr  ,t',°f''"'"'""''^  °^  '^^"''^''"S  '°  the  ga" 


li 


(■• 


i 


•it 


!l 


t 

I 


30 

honour  of  his  company  to  dinner  on  the  next  day.  Cap- 
tain Reid  politely  consented  to  stay,  and  accepted  ttie 
invitation.  Thouerh  the  time  was  so  short,  yet  the  im-^ 
pulse  was  irresistible.— It  drew  a  most  brillant  a  d 
respectable  company  of  the  members  of  both  houses  of 
the  Legislature  and  the  citizens  of  this  place,  to  aii  ex- 
cellent  dinner  provided  by  Mr.  Brooks  at  the  Eagle 

XaYern. The  scene  was  graced  with  the  company  ot 

the  Governor,  members  of  the  Executive  Council,  judg- 
es of  the  Superior  Court,  of  Captain  Reid  in  uniform 
and  his  companion,  Mr.   Blanchard.— The  company 
met  to  enjoy  themselves,  and  nothing  could  occur  .0 
mar  the  harmony  of  the  scene  or  arrest  the  "flow  ot 
soul."     This  was  the  first  opportunity  which  ou'*  citi- 
zens or  the  individual  Members  of  the  Legislature  have 
enjoyed  during  the  present  war  of  manifesting,  m  any 
public  way,  their  personal  respect  for  tLe  heroes  who 
have  won  the  applause  of  the  world.     It  was  not  won- 
deiful,  therefore,  that  our  feelings  should  come  forth, 
fresh,  warm  and  full  of  enthusiasm.     The  electric  hre 
of  patriotism  spread  from  bosom  to  bosom;  and  while 
the   toast    and  song   of  sentiment  went  round,  every 
generous  heart  caught  the  inspiration,  and  every  iip 

gave  it  utterance. 

Mr.  Stevenson,  (the  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Dele- 
gates,) acted  as  President— and  Mr.  Wirt  as  Vice- 
President— After  the  cloth  was  removed,  the  following 

Toasts  were  drank : 

1.  The"  People,  the  purest  fountain  of  political  power. 

2.  The  Union  of  these  States;  the  ark  of  our  co- 
venant—May the  hand  that  touches  it  wither  in  the 

dust.  TT      •        J 

3.  The  President  and  the  Congress  of  the  United 
States—  May  the  spirit  of  our  fathers  descend  to  guide 
tl;ieir  councils. 

4.  The  memory  of  Washington,  the  Father  ot  his 
Country,  and  the  wonder  of  the  world, 

5.  The  heroes  of  the  Revolution,  who  died  for  tho 
Liberties  of  America.— May  their  glory  never  be  en- 
Jianced  by  the  degeneracy  of  their  soo3. 


} 


'^ 


31 


1 


6.  The  heroes  of  the  present  war,  who  have  sealed 
their  devotion  to  their  country  by  their  blood — when 
giatitr.de  has  paid  the  pious  tribute  of  its  tears,  memo- 
ry shall  crown  each  name  with  unfading  laurel. 

7.  The  Navy — whose  lightning  has  struck  down  the 
"meteor  flag  of  England" — They  have  conquered  those 
who  had  conquered  the  world. 

8.  The  private  cruisers  of  the  United  States — whose 
intrepidity  has  pierced  the  enemy's  Channels,  and  heard- 
ed  the  Lion  in  his  Den. 

9.  The  army  of  the  Niagara — the  rivals  of  our  tars 
— Their  gailant  deeds  will  live  to  endless  ages,  in  the 
records  of  time. 

10.  Brown,  Scott,  Gaines,  and  Porter — Chippewa, 
Bridgewaler,  Plattsburg  and  Erie,  are  the  deathless 
monuments  of  their  fame 

11.  Barney,  Boyle  and  their  compatriots,  who  have 
ploughed  the  seas  in  search  of  the  enemy,  and  hurled 
retaliation  upon  his  head. 

13.  The  i^ort  of  Fayal — whose  waves  have  been 
stained  by  a  violation  of  neutrality —May  the  Prince 
Regent  of  Portugal  remember  what  is  due  to  himself. 

14  Our  Mmisters  at  Ghent — who  breathe  the  spirit 
of  their  country — icar,  in  preference  to  the  slightest 
sacrifice  of  our  honour. 

15.  Foreign  Nations— let  us  hold  them  as  did  our 
fathers  of  old — "  Enemies  in  war,  in  peace,  friends." 

16.  Legislalorsl  may  the  people  abandon  those  who 
sacrifice  the  safety  of  their  country  to  the  shadow  of 
popularity. 

On  the  Governor's  retiring, 
18.    W.  C.   Nicholas,  Governor  of  Virginia. — The 
firm  patriot  and  inflexible  republican. 

VOLUNTEERS: 


r 

I 


^/ 


By  Captain  Reid — Commodore  Perry,  the  Conqueror 
of  Lake  Erie — Commodore  Macdonough,  the  Conqueror 
of  Lake  Champlain— May  it  not  be  long,  ere  Commo- 
dore Chauncey  is  Conqueroi'  of  Lake  Ontario. 


y 


32 


I 


ft 


By  Mr.  Blanchard — The  memory  of  Commodore 
Preble,  whose  discipline  laid  the  corner-stone  of  the 
Pillar  of  Naval  Glory  now  erecting. 

By  the  Vice-President— The  memory  of  the  General 
Armstrong;  she  has  <' graced  her  fall  and  mode  her 
ruin  glorious." 

Bij  Judge  Cabell— The  Spirit  of  onr  Forefathers  : 
displayed  in  concert  and  energy  of  action ;  not  wasted 
in  endless  and  fruitless  discussion. 

By  Judge  Brockenbrough. — Neutral  Ports, — when- 
ever the  Tyrants  of  the  Ocean  dare  to  invade  these 
sanctuaries,   may  they  meet  with  an  ^Essex^  and  an 


^Armstrong^ 


By  General  Cocke— Americvin,  Tars— their  achiev- 
ments  form  an  era  in  the  naval  annals  of  the  world; 
may  their  brother  soldiers  emulate  their  deeds  of  ever- 
lasting renown. 

On  Captain  Reid's  retiring: 

By  the  Prcsir/e?i^.— Captain  Reid— His  valour  has 
shed  a  blaze  of  renown  upon  the  character  of  our  sea- 
men, and  won  for  himself  a  laurel  of  eternal  bloom.   • 

By  Mr.  hlltle  of  N.  C— The  Patriotism  of  the  An- 
cient Dominion  of  Virginia ;  that  never  flags  in  peace 
or  in  war. 

By  Mr.  Wm.  Watkins  of  the  H,  of  D.— The  People, 
more  ready  to  pay  Taxes,  than  the  constituted  authori- 
ties to  impose  them. 

By  Mr,  Charles  F.  Mercer  of  the  same — The  Na- 
vy—Our shield  and  our  sw^ord. 

By  Mr.  T.  Ritchie— The  Co7is:ress  of  theU.  S— 
Whatever  be  the  apathy  or  imbecility  that  reigns  over 
their  councils,  let  us  never  despair  of  the  Republic. 

By  Mr.  James  Rohcr/snu  {of  the  H.  of  D.  ) — The 
Conventional  Hartford— d  it' be  pregnant  with  any 
thing  National^  may  its  deliberations  eventuate  in 
abortion. 

By  Mr.  Barbour  {of  the  H.  of  D.  )— The  Defence 
Bill  — Decision  in    the  council  lind  energy  in  the  field. 

By  Mr.  Joseph  C.  Cabell,  of  the  Senafc.—The  Con- 
gress at  Vienna,  and  the  Dispatches  from  our  Minister, 


33 

at  Ghent,  notwithstanding— The  best  foundation  for 
Peace  is  vigorous  preparation  for  War. 

By  Mr.  Wm.  Sdden  of  the  H.  of  D.— ^he  Old  Do- 
mniion— long  maj  she  be  like  Greece  in  science  and  in 
Liberty ;  As  Athens  learned,  like  Lacedemon  free. 

By  Mr.  Cook  (  of  Portsmouth)  of  the  U.  of  D.—Ex\g. 
Gen.  Porter,  late  commnnder  in  chief  at  Norfolk— his 
military  talents  and  labours  have  secured  that  post 
against  assault.  May  the  rewards  of  his  country  be 
commensurate  with  his  talents. 

By  Mr.  John  Hooe  of  tht  H.  ofD—Mixy  the  present 
sons  of  America  evince  equal  virtue,  patriotism,  and 
candour,  with  those  of  their  forefathers. 


State  of  New-York. 

In   Senate,    April   17 thj  1815. 
Resolved  : 

That  the  valour  and  heroism  of  our  fellow  citizen, 
Samuel  C.  Reid,  Esquire,  commander  of  the  late  pri- 
vate Armed  Brig  General  Armstrong ;  and  the  officers 
and  crew  under  his  command,  in  resisting  the  attack 
of  his  Britannic  Majesty's  Ships,  the  "Plantagenet 
seventy-four.  Rota  frigate,  and  Carnation  Sloop  of 
War,  in  the  neutral  port  of  Fayal,  command  the  ad- 
miration of  the  American  people;  and  render  proper  an 
expression  of  commendation  and  applause  by  the  Re- 
presentatives of  this  state. 
Re.'^olced : 

That  the  thanks  of  this  legislature  be  presented  to 
Samuel  C.  Reitl,  Esquire,  and  the  gallant  officers  and 
brave  crew  under  his  command,  for  their  coul  and  in- 
trepid valour  displayed  in  resisting  the  said  attack,  and 
thus  gloriously  maintaining  the  honour  of  the  American 
Flag,  and  valiantly  avenging  the  violated  rights  of 
their  country  ;  and  that  his  excellency  the  governor  be 
requested  to  present  the  said  Samuel  C.  Reid,  Esquire, 
with  a  Sword,  in  behalf  of  this  Legislature,  as  a  testi- 
jnonial  of  their  gratitude. 


I 

1-3 


'^1 

^1 


J 11 


34 


m 


m 


■s|' 


If 


■ 


ill 


Resolved : 
That  the  concurrence  of  the  honourable  the  assembly 
be  requested,  and  that  in  case  of  such  concurrence,  his 
excellency,  the  Governor,  be  desired  to  transmit  a  copy 
of  the  above  Resolutions  to  the  said  Samuel  C.  Reid, 
Esquire.     By  Order  of  the  Senate, 

John  F.  Bacon,  Clerk. 


State  of  New-York 
In  Assembly,   April   18/A,    1815. 

Resolved : 

That  this  House  do  concur  with  the  honourable  the 
Seriate,  in  their  preceding  Resolutions. 
By  Order  of  the  Assembly, 

Aaron  Clark,  Clerk. 


(Private)    Castleton,  Stalen  Island,  Oct.  20lh,  1815. 

Sir — The  enclosed  communication  was  prepared  be- 
fore I  left  Albany  in  April  lust,  with  an  intention  of  de- 
livering- It  to  yoii  in  New- York.  On  my  arrival  in  New- 
York  I  learned  that  you  were  in  Europe,  and  waited 
your  return  ;  of  which  I  was  not  advised  until  I  saw 
Governor  Shelby's  letter  in  the  public  prints  a  few  days 


ago. 


The  object  of  this  private  letter  is  both  to  apologize 
for  the  dehiy  of  the  communication  an  I  resolutions; 
and  to  int^orm  you  that  I  will  have  the  honour  to  present 
the  sword,  so  soon  as  that  and  other  swords  voted  by 
our  Legislature,  all  of  which  are  preparing,  shall  bo 
finished. 

Allow  me  here  to  renew  an  assurance  of  my  great 
consiileration  and  esteem,  ami  to  repeat  my  conviction 
that  theevent  to  which  the  communi^.atims  and  reso- 
lutions relate,  will  long  form  one  of  our  proudest  na- 
tional recollections. 

Daniel   D.   Tompkins 
Samuel  C.  Reio,   Esquire. 


fi 


36 

New-York,  Zd  December,  1815. 

To  HIS  Excellency  Governor  Tompkins. 

Sir— I  have  the  honour  to  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  your  Excellenc/s  esteemed  favours  of  the  24th 
April,  and  20th  October  last ;  together  with  a  copy  of 
the  Resolutions  passed  by  the  Hon.  Legislature  of  this 
State,  expressing  their  approbation  of  the  conduct 
of  the  officers  and  crew  of  the  General  Armstrong, 
(which  vessel  I  had  the  honour  .o  command)  during  the 
action  with  the  enemy  at  Fayal. 

The  manner  iu  which  that  honourable  body  has  been 
pleased  to  notice  our  affair,  though  peculiar  in  itself, 
must  be  truly  grateful  to  the  feelings  of  every  person 
who  bore  a  part  in  that  doubtful  conflict ;  for  the  ter- 
mination of  which,  I  am  wholly  indebted  to  the  patri- 
otism and  good  conduct  of  the  officers  ;  and  the  fidelity, 
and  firmness  of  our  crew,  whose  exertions  notwith 
standing  must  have  been  in  vain— had  not  th^t  Om- 
nipotent Being  who  shielded  us  from  the  weapons  of  the 
foe,  at  the  same  time  decreed  us  the  victory. 

I  pray  yonr  Excellency  will  make  known  to  the 
lion.  Legislature  the  high  sense  of  gratitude  I  feel,  and 
bhall  ever  continue  to  fee!,  for  the  several  Resolutions 
they  have  been  pleased  to  pass  in  my  favour. 

For  the  flattering  cncomiijms  contained  in  vour  Ex- 
cellency's first  mentioned  letter,  I  beg  leave  to  offer 
for  myself  my  most  sincere  and  unfeigned  thanks; 
and,  agreeable  to  your  request,  shall  take  the  earliest 
opportunity  of  communi  uiting  the  same  to  the  officers 
and  crew  of  the  General  Armstrong. 

With  great  consideration  and  esteem, 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain, 
Sir, 
Your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  Servant, 

SAMUEL  C.   REID. 


>5' 


36 


h> 


•fj< 


h 


Moiiday,  December  2,    1816. 

The  glory  which  attended  the  American  arms 
throughout  the  whole  of  our  late  contest  with  Great 
Britain,  will  be  handed  down  to  posterity,  and  will  re- 
main as  a  monument  of  the  virtue  and  valour  of  a 
young  and  high-spirited  nation,  so  long  as  a  page  of 
history  shall  be  preseived  from  the  ravages  of  time. 
Our  naval  victories  have  all  been  conspicuously  honour- 
able ;  but  it  remained  for  America  to  rescue  from  the 
stigma,  which  a  habit  of  barbarous  plunder  had  thrown 
upon  il,  the  system  of  privateering,  and  which  was 
considered,  by  many,  a  species  of  highway  robbery 
and  legalised  plunder — acts  of  barbarity  and  wanton 
cruelty  having  too  often  marked  it.  The  genius  and 
humanity  of  our  countrymen  stripped  it  of  these  dis- 
graceful attendants,  and,  while  they  employed  private 
armed  ships  to  annoy  the  commerce  of  our  enemy,  they 
never  tarnished  their  valour  by  acts  at  which  iioncur- 
able  men  might  blush;  and  they  rendered  this  species 
of  warfare  of  particular  advantaue  to  the  nation — so 
much  so,  that,  at  the  time  when  the  war  approached  its 
close,  the  government  seeing  tlie  great  effects  to  be  pro- 
duced by  li:^ht  vessels,  in  injuring  th«  commerce  of  our 
foe,  had  ordered  a  number  to  be  fitted  out  as  national 
ships,  and  theie  is  no  doubt  in  the  mind  of  anyone 
but  that  they  would  have  struck  a- terror  to  British 
commerce  without  a  parallel. 

Among  the  many  acts  of  heroism  performed  by  the 
private  armed  vessels  of  our  citizens,  that  performed  by 
captain  Reid,  in  the  harbour  of  Fayal,  in  defence  of 
the  private  armed  brig  Gen.  Armstrong,  against  the 
enormously  superior  force  employed  ngain.st  him  by  two 
frigates,  was  of  so  brilliant  a  nature,  that  it  called 
forth  the  attention  of  the  legislature  of  this  state,  and 
claimed  from  that  body  a  reward  due  to  extraordinary 
merit.  They  therefore  voted  him,  with  other  heroes,  a 
3word,  which  was  presented  to  him  on  the  25tli  ult.  by 
his  excellency  governor  Tompkins,  with  the  following 
appropriate  address  : 

.Sir— Previously  to  the  declaration  of  the  late  war 


J 


37 

our  prowess  had  not  been  sufficiently  tested  to  establish 
a  decided  claim  to  pre-eminence  on  tiie  ocean.  No 
sooner  did  the  sound  to  arms  reverberate  throuo-h  the 
land  than  our  naval  heroes,  panting  for  an  opportu- 
nity to  evince  the  superiority  of  American  tars,  launch- 
ed  forth  in  pursuit  of  a  foe,  unrivalled  in  exploits  on 
that  element.  A  succession  of  brilliant  triumphs, 
crowned  them  with  imperishable  fame,  and  exalted  the 

h^r.l  Tv?""^''  °u  T  ^°^"^'-^  '^  '^'^  ^^^ost  enviable 
Height.  Many  who  had  not  the  opportunity  to  gather 
laurels  in  the  navy,  fired  at  the  recital  of  the  victories 
obtained  by  their  brother  tars,  equipped  private  vessels, 
and  sailed  in  search  of  adventures  and  of  fame. 

Ihe   brig  General  Armstrong  which  was  confided 
to  your  command,  is  amongst  the  most  renowned  of  our 
private  armed  vessels.     Whilst  peaceably  anchored  in 
the  neutral  port  of  Fayal,  she  was  attat-ked  by  a  Hri- 
tish  squadron  of  overwhelming  force,  in  violation  of  all 
the  principles  of  public  law.     The  enemy  was  repeat- 
edly  foiled  in  his  attempts  to  capture  the  Armstrong,  by 
the  most  desperate  defence  which  the  mind  can  con- 
ceive  of:  and,  although  the  enemy  ultimately  compel- 
led you  to  destroy  your  vessel  and  repair  to  the  shore- 
the  immense  loss  he  sustained,  and  the  deep   wound 
which  the  gallant  repulse  inflicted  on  his  character, 
will  long  be  remembered  by  the  British  nation.     Un- 
subdued, and  burning  with  indignation  at  the  baseness 
ot  the  attack  on  the  one  hand,  and  with  the  unprece- 
dented timidity  of  the  governor  of  Fayal  in  withholding 
the  rights  of  hospitality  and  protection   on  the  othe? 
your  heroic  band  encamped  upon  the  shore,  and  hurled 
defiance  at  all  around  them.    Such  heroic  conduct  con- 
founds the  mind  with  admiration,  and  the  fame  of  it 
Jias  resounded  in  every  country.     The  whole  civilized 
world  has  awarded  to  it  the  meed  of  praise  and  of  ad- 
miration. 

Impressed  with  a  lively  sense  of  the  honour  confe-red 
on  the  American  character,  by  the  conduct  of  the  offi 
cers  and  crew  of  the  Armstrong,  the  legislature  of  the 
state  of  New- York,  have  testified  their   approbation 


*<> 


:  I 


H 


f 


38 

and  thanks,  by  presenting  a  sword  to  you,  the  com- 
mander     In  performing   the  duty  assigned  me,  and 
wnue   1  convey  to  you  frhe  assurance  of  my  exalted 
opinion  of  your  courage  and  conduct  on  that  occasion, 
allow  me  to  mmgle  my  sympathies  with  vours,  -nd  with 
tnoseof  the  American  nation,  at  the  untimely  fate  of 
the  lamented  heroes,    Worth  and    Willia7ns,  who  so 
nobly  seconded  your  efforts  to  defend  the  Armstrong-, 
and   to  sustain,  untarnished,  the  naval  reputation  Sf 
Amenca.     The  one  fell  greatly  in  the  action;  and  it 
Has  pleased  an  allwise  Providence  to  entomb  the  other 
with  a  Blakehj  and  a  Shubrick,  in  that  ocean  whose 
proiouudest  depths  have  been  illuminated  by  the  fflorv 
of  their  deeds.  i=     J 

CAPTAIN    REID's    REPLY. 

fo  f'^"^''^'''  1^'e.  through  your  Excellency,  to  tender 
to  the  ever  watchful  guardians  and  patriotic  represent- 
atives of  this  state,  my  unfeigned  thanks  for  this 
marked  approbation  of  my  conduct  whilst  command- 
ing the  General  Armstrong.  I  accept  this  Sword,  Sir 
with  the  liveliest  sense  of  gratitude  to  your  Excellency; 
and  tjie  enlightened  people  over  whom  you  so  happily 


It  IS  with  pleasure  we  publish  the  following  testi- 
monial   o    undaunted   boldiiess  and  skill  exhibited   by 

I«U.  C  '  '"     \'''u  ^"°^'''  engagement  at  Fayal  in 

1814.   bravery  which  no  one  at  all  acquainted   with 

the  facts,  ever  doubted,  we  believe,  for  a  moment. 

Messrs.  Editois, 

Having  been  aL.rnt  from  this  section  of  the  country 

for  several  years  past,  I  was  not  a  little  astoni.shed   o 

tt\    ..7l   '''"'■"  ^"-^^^'^  ^^^^'  ^  ''''y  i»  circulation 
(and  as  1  learn  growing  out   of  political    opposition) 
doubting    the    good    conduct    and    bravery    of  Cant 
Samuel  C.R«id,  while  commanding  t le  Le  prVva^te 
armed  brig  Gen.  Armstrong,   in  the^meuiolrbleS 


f 
r 
h 

I 

n 
h 

t] 

61 


i*  ■ 


39 

of  the  night  of  the  26th  September,  1814,  in  the  por 
of  Fajal,  with  the  Plfftitagenet  74,  Rota  frigate,  and 
Carnation  sloop  of  war. 

Gentlemen.  I  had  the  honour  of  holding  the  office  of 
iSailing  Master,  on  board  the  Gen.  Armstrong,  under 
the  command  of  Capt.  Reid,  and  being  desirous  while 
I  have  the  opportunity  of  clearin.sr  up  all  doubts  on  this 
fiubject  in  relation  to  that  gentleman,  if  any  yet  re- 
main, I  now  most  sincerely  declare  without  fear  of 
contradiction,  that  Capt.  Keid's  conduct  during  the 
whole  cruise,  and  particularly  in  the  said  action  at 
Fayal,  was  of  the  most  exemplary  character :  and 
that  so  far  from  being  in  any  possible  shape  or  man- 
ner the  least  remiss  in  his  duty  as  commander,  at  any 
one  time  during  the  said  action,  he  was  on  the  con- 
trary always  at  his  post  directing  the  battle,  and  shar- 
ing the  dangers  with  the  rest  of  us  on  that  eventful 
niglu.  Nor  did  he  leave  the  said  vessel  at  any  time 
from  the  commencement  of  the  action  until  the  ene- 
my's boats  were  entirely  deft>nto<?,  nor  ovon  then  until 
he  had  superintended  the  landing  of  the  dead  and 
wounded,  together  with  all  the  baggage  and  stores. 

I  have  written  this,  gentlemen,  "in  justice  to  Capt, 
Reid  ;  and  as  I  expect  it  will  meet  the  eyes  of  some  of 
my  fellow  officers  and  seamen,  who  have  survived  that 
hard  fought  (and  to  us  as  yet)  unprofitable  contest, 
they  as  w-11  as  me  can  testify  to  the  truth  of  this 
statement. 

In  publishing  the  above  you  will  confer  a  favour  on, 

Gentlemen,  Yours,  &c. 

BENJAMIN  STARK, 

Sailing  Mauler  of  the  late  private  armed 
brig  Gen.  Armstrong^  of  New-York^ 
New-York,  26lh  Dec.  1825. 


i\ 


Ml 


W     -5 


w  If 


fl 


i' 


I 


40 

THE  GENERAL  ARMSTRONG. 

New- York,  Dec.  1825. 
To  the  Editors  of  the  Statesman. 

Gentlemen — I  have  seen  a  statement  in  jour  paper 
from  Mr.  Stark,  who  was  sailing  master  of  the  General 
Armstrong,  in  the  memorable  action  of  the  26th  of 
Sep^  1814,  in  the  port  of  Fayal,  with  thePlanta^enet 
74,  Rota  frigate,  and  Carnation,  sloop  of  war,  or  "their 
boats,  contammg  about  500  men,  each  boat  armed 
with  a  carronade. 

Gentlemen,  I  had  the  honour  of  holding  the  office 
of  third  lieutenant  on  board  of  the  General  ^  nstronff 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Reid,  and  being  de- 
sirous of  clearing  up  all  doubts  on  this  subject  in  rela- 
tion to  that  gentleman,  I  will  now  give  a  few  of  the 
particulars. 

Capt.  Reid  was  standing  on  the  taifarel,  in  his  shirt 
sleeves,  when  the  four  boats  came  up  at  8  P.  M.  C  pt 
R  hailed  the  firat  boato  while  Standing  there,  and  did 
not  leave  that  station  until  they  cned  for  quarieis  from 
the  boats.  In  the  midnight  attack,  Capt.  R.  gave  his 
orders  with  the  utmost  coolness,  hailed  the  boats  as  be- 
fore, and  gave  the  orders  when  to  fire. 

At  one  time  during  the  action,   when  there  was  a 
lack  of  catridges,  he  ran  forward  and  ordered  tbrowinff 
shot  by  hand  into  the  boats,  and  continued  himself 
throwing  snot  into  the  boats  until  cartridges  were  sup- 
plied.    At  the  close  of  the  action  he  fired  the  Lon^ 
Tom  himself,  (which  flew  off  the  carriage)  and  theS 
ordered  three  cheers  and  the  gun  to  be  mounted  a-ain- 
and  superintended  the  same  until  it  was  complete'd-     ' 
I  was  wounded  while  on  the  quarter  deck,    which 
gave  me  an  opportunity   of  observing  the  conduct  of 
Capt  R.  minutely,  until  the  jiction  was  over,  at  which 
time  I  was  carried  on  shor.3.    After  the  wounded  men 
of  the  General  Armstrong  were  dressed,   the  Sur-eon 
was  ordered  to  dress  those  of  the  enemy,  and  see  them 
taken  care  of  on  shore. 
Gentlemen,   1  was  in  several  actions  in  the  Gen, 


I 


office 


41 

Armstrong  on  her  previous  cruises,  and  have  seen  many 
other  armed  vessels,  but  never  saw  better  discipHne, 
nor  a  crew  better  satisfied  with  their  commander,  than 
the  crew  of  the  Gen.  Armstrong  was  with  Capt.  R. 
in  every  part  of  the  cruise,  and  particularly  in  this  en- 
gagement, his  conduct  was  that  of  a  gentleman  and  an 
officer. 

By   publishing   the  above,    you   will,    gentlemen, 
oblige  yours,  &c. 

ROBT.   JOHNSON. 

Late  third  Lieutenant  of  the  Gen.  Armstrong, 


TO    THE    EDITORS    OF    MERCANTILE    ADVERTISER,  , 

Gentlemen^ 

i  hand  you  for  publication  a  letter,  which  wag  re- 
ceived in  my  absence  from  the  country,  from  his  Ex- 
cellency Governor  Shelby,  of  Kentucky  Since  my 
return,  sickness  has  prevented  an  earlier  attention  to  its 
publication.  As  thfi  sentiments  which  it  expresses  are 
general  with  respect  to  our  navy  and  private  armed 
vessels,  I  conceive  it  my  duty  for  that  reason  to  give  it 
publicity ;  and  it  is  likewise  due  to  the  officers  and  crew 
of  the  General  Armstrong,  thus  to  make  known  to 
them  the  approbation  of  his  Excellency. 

AT      Tr    ,   ^       o  SAMUEL  C.  RE  ID. 

New-York,  Oct.  13,  1816. 


Frankfort,  {Ken.)  May  8,  1815. 
Sir— The  return  of  peace  to  our  country,  upon 
honourable  terms,  with  a  national  character  exalted  in 
an  eminent  degree,  affords  us  leisure  to  review  the  va- 
nous  conflicts  in  which  that  character  has  been  de- 
veloped. 

On  the  ocean  where  we  had  most  to  dread  we  have 
found  a  rich  harvest  of  glory;  and  the  American 
tars  have  secured  to  themselves  the  admiration  of  the 
world.     To  the  officers  and  crews  of  our  public  vessels, 

5^ 


I 


\ 


.  * 


much  IS  due;  and  the  nation  through  its  pubh'c  func- 
tionaries, and  in  other  forms,   has  fully  demonstrated 
Us  gratitude.     We  are  not  less  indebted  to  the  officers 
and  crews  of  our  private  armed  vessels— instances  of 
talent,  skill,  disoipline,,,a-ii.i  of  a  determined  unconque- 
rable braverjvlrctve  been  manifested  by  our  privateers- 
^ttBu;  when  their  sitrations  might  have  presented  to  or- 
dinary minds  sufficient   inducement  for  avoiding  the 
contest,  nothing  but  a  generous  and  noble  patriotism 
could  have  led  to  such  deeds.     I  have  no  reason  to  be- 
lieve that  the  nation  at  large  is  not  fully  impressed  with 
the  gratitude  due  to  this  class  of  oJr  heroes.     But  I 
have  regretted  that  there  has  been  so  few  demonstra- 
tions of  that  sentiment:  you  will,  therefore,  although  a 
stranger  to  you,  permit  me  for  myself,  individually,  and 
on  behalf  of  the  state  over  which  I  have  the  honour  to 
preside,  to  assure  you  that  the  conduct  of  yourself  and 
of  your  officers  and   crew  in   defence  of  the  General 
Armstrong  in  the  port  of  Faval,  merits  the  first  ap- 
plause of  the  nation,  and  is  duly  appreciated  by  our 
citizens.  *^ 

No  one  conflict  during  the  war  has  placed  the  Ameri- 
can character  in  so  proud  a  view. 

The  baseness  of  the  attack  in  a  neutral  port  the 
overwhelming  force  of  the  assailant? ;  the  small  pros-' 
pect  of  success  to  yourself  and  crew,  and  the  unpara- 
le  led  disparity  of  loss,  demonstrated  a  combinntion  of 
talents,  skill  and  heroism,  seldom  eoualled,  and  never 
surpassed. 

I  trust  our  government  will  lose  no  time  in  demand- 
mg  a  lair  remuneration  of  the  vessel  and  her  apparel 
&c.  and  that  it  will  be  prosecuted  with  effect. 

May  you,  your  officers  and  crew,  long  live  to  enjoy 
the  laurels  you  so  nobly  won. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be  with  high  consideration  of 
respect  and  esteem.  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  humble  servant, 

ISAAC  SHELBY. 
Captain  Samuel  C.  Reid,  late  Commander  of) 
the  U»  S.  privateer  General  Armstrong.       \ 


y 
' 


43 

AMERICAN  BRAVERY. 

In  the  conclusion  of  the  following  article,  Mr.  Cob- 
belt's  correspondence  ascribes  the  superior  valour  and 
prowesp  of  the  Americans,  to  their  greater  physical 
ability,  from  better  living,  and  the  spirit  of  republican- 
ism  and  independence  by  which  they  are  animated. 
He  speaks  in  just  terms"  of  the  action  at  Fayal,  for 
which  Capt.  Reid  so  deservedly  received  the  compli- 
ment of  a  set  of  plate  on  Saturday. 


m 


Sir- — As  the  American  contest  is  become  remarkab.Ij 
f  nd  begins  to  excite  considerable  interest,  allow  me  to 
make  some  desultory  remarks  upon  it,  which  may 
have  a  beneficial  influence  on  some,  at  least  of  your 
readers.  Whether  the  advantage  is  or  is  not  in  our 
favour,  at  this  stage  of  the  contest,  it  is  not  my  pur- 
pose to  examine.  But  the  gallantry  displayed  by  the 
Republicans  in  particular  cases,  appears  to  surpass  any 
thing  on  record  m  the  history  of  mankind,  if  the  ac- 
count can  be  relied  on. 

Gen.  Drummond's  report  of  his  action  with  their 
land  forces  cannot  be  questioned,  and  the  resolute  on- 
set, on  that  occasion  cannot  be  read  without  a  shivering 
kind  of  astonishment,  which  leaves  little  power  of 
analysing  ihe  feelings  of  the  mind,  struck  aghast, 
transfixed,  and  recoiling. 

But  the  account  which  you  gave  of  the  naval  ac- 
tion at  Fayal,  exceeds  that  and  every  thing  which  man 
has  ever  heard  of;  and  I  am,  I  own,  led  to  doubt  the 
correctness  of  the  statement.  Whether  our  force  was 
employed  regularly  or  not;  must  be  left  to  future  eluci- 
dation._  I  believe,  from  the  character  of  our  naval  of- 
ficers, it  will  be  found  that  no  impeachment  of  them 
will  be  finally  proved.  But,  taking  the  account  which 
you  have  published,  to  be  in  other  respects,  exact,  I 
must  contess  that  no  parallel  transaction  has  ever  come 
to  my  knowledge.  What  to  admire  most,  the  delibe- 
rate conduct,  or  the  desperate  valour  of  these  men,  be- 
comes  a  question  of  difficulty.     The  commander  first 


44 


I' 


;iil 


makes  inquiry  of  the  Portuguese  authorities  as  to  his 
safety— he  then  (abstains  from  hostihty  till  he  is  ac- 
tually attacked,  and  the  ag-gression  becomes  undoubted. 
Now,  having  repulsed  the  assailants,  he  rows  his  tiny 
vessel  under  the  neutral  fort,  that  his  station  may  be  no 
problem.  When  called  upon  there  to  act,  he  and  his 
brave  crew,  seemingly  well  prepared  for  the  worst,  deal 
destruction  on  the  enemy  with  almost  supernatural 
good  fortune  and  success. 

As  long  as  resistance  could  be  made,  with  hope  of 
glory,  for  there  could  have  been  none  of  final  safety, 
they  remain  at  their  post,  to  encounter,  after  every 
struggle,  a  ship  of  superior  force,  which  could  not 
want  a  superabundance  of  hands  for  offence  and  de- 
fence—and beat  her  off.  Not  seeing  any  good  from 
prolonging  a  contest,  m  which  they  destroy  more  than 
twice  their  own  number,  they  render  their  cock-boat 
unserviceable,  -  1  retire.  Yet,  pursued  and  demanded, 
they  resolve  w  ^n  their  small  numbers,  to  brave  danger 
to  the  last  and  occupy  a  position  on  land,  determined 
to  render  as  dear  as  possible  their  eventual  foil  beturc 
such  superior  force.  This  last  determination  is  the  es- 
sence of  heroism ;  it  drives  one  wild  with  admiration. 
From  CobbeWs  Weekly  Register,  December  10. 


On  Saturday  evening,  at  Tammany  Hall,  a  handsome 
service  of  plate  (with  suitable  devices  and  inscriptions 
engraved  thereon)  was  presented  to  Samttel  C.  Reid, 
for  his  gallant  defence  of  the  private  armed  brig  Gen! 
Armstrong,  at  Fayal. 

The  money  for  the  purchase  of  this  plate  was  raised 
by  private  subscription.  No  compliment  of  the  kind 
was  ever  besto  ^ed  upon  a  braver  man  than  Captain 
Reid. 


TRIBUTE    TO    VALOUR. 


The  public,   doubtless,   recollect  the  gallant  defence 
of  the  private  armed  brig  Gen.  Armstrong,  commanded 


45 

by    Samuel  0.  Reid,  Esq.  in   the    neutrrJ.    port   of 
Fayal,   against  an  attack  made  by  the  boats  of  a  squa- 
dron of  British  ships  of  war,   consisting  of  the  Plan- 
tagenet,  74,   the  Rota  frigate,  and   Carnation  sloop  of 
war,  which,  after  a  resistance  on  the  part  of  the  offi- 
cers and  crew  of   the  General    Armstrong    nt  •    sur- 
passed bj  any  of  the  exploits  of  our  gallant  sumen 
during  the  war,  compelled  the  enemy  to  retire,  v,  :la  the 
oss  of  upwards  of  130  killed,  besides  many  vc   nded. 
As  a  mark  of  the   high  sense  entertained  of  the  skill 
and  valour  of  the  commander,  the  owners  of  the  Gen. 
Armstrong,   and  others,   presented  Captain   Reid  with 
an  elegant  service  of  plate,  consisting'of  a  large  silver 
pitcher,  with  an  emblematical  engraving  of  the  action, 
and  a  suitable  inscription   thereon ;  also,   a  silver  tea- 
pot, sugar  bowl,    milk-ewer,  sloi>bowl,   and  two  silver 
tumblers,  all  made  in  the  most   fashionable  and  best 
manner. 

The  presentation  took  place  in  the  large  room  at 
Tammany  Elall,  on  Saturday  evening  last,  in  the  pre- 
sence of  a  number  of  citizens,  who  had  assembled  to 
pay  their  respects  to  the  heroic  commander.  On  the 
occasion,  the  following  address  was  delivered,  by  John 
Ferguson,  Esq.  to  captain  Keid  : — 

ADDRESS. 

"  Sir, 

"  The  owners  of  the  late  private  armed  brig  General 
Armstrong,  and  others  of  your  fellow  citizens,  have 
here  assei^nbled  to  testify  to  you  the  high  sense  they 
entertfiin  of  your  gallant  conduct  as  commander  of 
that  vessel. 

"  In  a  neutral  port,  in  violation  of  national  faith, 
and  of  every  rule  of  honourable  warfare,  you  were  at- 
tacked by  an  overwhelming  force,  determined  on  your 
destruction. 

"  The  terrified  spectators  of  this  eventful  scene  be- 
lieved that  resistance  would  be  madness,  and  saw  no 
safety. 

"  Far  nobler  were  your    emotions.     The  flag  that 


ill. 


\   'T 


46 

waved  above  you  was  the  ensign  of  honour;  the 
prompter  to  deeds  of  glory ;  and  all  thought  of  dan- 
ger was  lost  or  despised  in  the  inspiration  of  that  mo- 
ment. Your  brave  companions  caught  the  sacred  im- 
pulse, and  no  accents  were  breathed  around  you  but 
those  of  enthusiastic  patriotism,  and  indignant  ven- 
geance, 

"  The  bloody  conflict  of  that  night  will  be  long  re- 
membered, and  the  defence  of  the  General  Armstrong 
will  be  considered  not  the  least  of  those  gallant  feats 
which  have  shed  lustre  on  our  arms,  in  the  late  trium- 
phant struggle. 

"  Permit  us.  Sir,  to  present  to  you  this  service  of 
plate,  as  a  token  of  our  esteem  and  admiration;  a 
small  part  of  that  general  tribute  of  your  country, 
which  will  enrol  the  name  of  Samuel  C.  Reid  in  the 
list  of  those  heroic  men  who  have  raised,  for  that  coun- 
try, and  th^mselv       t,b^  proudest  monuments  in  story. 

Captain  \  'id  ^^-  made  the  following  reply,  which 
was  received  ly  .iie  audience  with  much  satisfaction, 
and  who  tp«iifip.d  their  respect  for  the  brave  man  who 
had  so  nobly  defended  the  honour  of  the  American  flag, 
with  three  hearty  cheers : — 

"  GEJ^TLE  1/EJV. 

"  In  answer  to  the  very  flattering  encomiums  3'ou 
have  been  pleased  to  express  in  my  favour  this  evening, 
I  can  only  say  that  I  feel  the  highest  sense  of  grati- 
tude. 

"  Your  approbation  of  my  conduct,  as  long  as  I  had 
the  honour  to  command  the  (general  Armstrong,  has 
been  my  first  care  and  consideration — and,  having 
happily  succeeded  in  that,  I  feel  myself  most  amply 
compensated. 

•'  For  the  service  of  plate  now  presented  as  a  testi- 
mony of  your  regard,  I  pray  you  to  accept  my  most 
unfeigned  tha».;8;  and,  I  have  to  hope,  I  may  eyey 
merit  your  present  opinion." 


47 

THE  AMERICAN  PRIVATEERS. 

Which  the  British  have  called  in  contempt  "  cock 
boats,    have  |5roved  a  much  more  serious  scourge  to  that 
intolerable  proud  nation  than  the  most  san^^uine  Ame- 
rican could  have  supposed.     It  is  an  extraordinary  fact. 
a  very  extraordinary  fact,  that  two  of  our  private  ships 
namely    the   Neufchatel  and    the  General  Armstrong 
have  killed  and  wounded  more  than  300  of  the  prime 
seamen  of  Britain,  the  flower  of  their  navy.     All  the 
inhabitants  of  the  Portuguese  Island  of  Fayal  and  the 
numerous  strangers  there,  viewed  with  admiration  the 
heroic  conduct  of  the  Captain   of  the  ArmstronV  his 
brave  officers   and   men.     The  valiant  deed   will   fly 
through  the  world,  and  will  be  told  to  the  children  and 
children  s  children  of  all  who  witnessed   the  unequal 
battle      England  must  make  up  her  mind  to  hear  the 
dreadful  story,  that  their  boasted  sailors  are  not  a  mntch 
for  the  seamen  of  the  new  world.     It  seems  as  if  Pro- 
vidence  has  decreed  that  Air.erica  should  be  the  grave 
of  British  g,ory  as  well  as  of  British  character.    Their 
defeats  and  their  false  accounts  of  the  battles,  and  of 
the  relative  forces  of  the  combatants  will  be  told  toge- 
ther.      1  hat  nation  verifies  the  text,    that  '  pride  comes 
before  destruction,  and  a  huughty  spirit  before  a  fall." 
Let   us  avoid  their  arrogance,  and  rejoice  with  trem- 
bling, n    *    n 

°.  Bust.  Pap. 

YANTCEE  ENTERPRISE. 

Cnpt.  Lloyd  of  the  Plantagenet,  74,  who  did  not 
fight  Commodore  Rodgers  in  the  frigate  President  off 
bandy  Hook,  has  at  length,  in  company  with  a  frinate 
and  sloop  of  war,  succeeded  in  bringing  down ''one 
piece  of  "striped  bunting-  from  an  Anuricnn  mast 
Ihe  united  forces  ol  the  .squadron  compelled  the  cap- 
tain of  the  privateer  General  Armsirono-  to  give  \n^  his 
vessel,  though  the  enemy  reap  no  advantage  f.oin  her 
capture~-and  the  British  government  may  reward 
Capt  Lloyd  by  "  making  him  a  bishop"  for  his  hero- 
ism,  if  they  please. 


48 


4 


11  ^ 


HONOR  TO  THE  BRAVE ! 

The   General   Armstrong  Privateer, 

The  gallant  and  glorious  defence  made  by  the  Gene- 
ral Armstrong  privateer^  when  attacked  by  the  boats  of 
a  British  squadron  in  the  neutral  port  of  Fayal,  has 
been  displayed,  in  several  statements  to  the  view  of  our 
readers.  There  is  not  an  American  heart,  we  are  very 
sure,  that  has  not  glowed  with  indignation  at  the  Bri- 
tish outrage — and  with  exultation,  mingled  with  sur- 
prise and  admiration,  at  the  noble  manner  in  which  the 
American  vessel  was  defended.  The  destruction  of  his 
Majesty's  subjects,  and  the  loss  sustained  by  our  inso- 
lent and  unprincipled  enemy  in  this  memorable  conflict, 
were  greater  than  in  any  other  action  during  the  war 
— and  if  ever  man  deserved  the  gratitude  and  applause, 
and  popular  honours  of  his  country,  the  captain  of  the 
General  Armstrong  does.  This  hero  is  now  in  town  ; 
and  we  learn  with  infinite  pleasure,  will  be  welcomed 
and  cheered  with  a  public  subscription  dinner  given  him 
this  day  at  the  Eagle  Tavern. 

From  the  Rickmovd  Compiler  of  Dec.  15. 


^NATIONAL  BALL. 

Among  the  distinguished  Citizens  invited  to  the  Na- 
tional Ball,  is  Captain  RE  ID,  the  Hero  of  the  Arm- 
STONG,  who  adds  such  lustre  to  the  naval  character  of 
our  country.  Whatever  part  of  the  Union  this  gen- 
tleman nas  visited,  the  gratitude  of  the  people  has  been 
fully  evniced  by  the  attention  he  has  received- -this 
city  we  are  satisfied  will  not  be  backward. 

Charleston  Paper,    1815. 


In  the  attack  on  the  privateer  General  Armstrong-, 
at  Fayal,  the  British  owned  a  loss  (according  to  the 
Jamaica  papers,  where  the  ships  arrived  after  the  disas- 
ter) of  63  killed  and  1 10  wounded  ;  the  number  pro- 
bably much  greater. 


49 

In  the  great  battle  off  Cape  St.  Vincent,  in  1797  be- 
tween a  Spanish  fleet  of  27  ships  of  the  line,  (inc'lud- 
mg-  one  of  186  guns,  six  of  112,  &c.)  and  12  frigates 
and  a  British  squadron  of  15  ships  of  the  line  (two  of 
iOO  guns,  two  of  98,  &c.)  7  frigates,  and  2 'sloops— 
tile  latter  acknowledge  a  loss  of  only  73  killed  •  (ten 
more  than  they  lost  in  attacking  a  small  privateer  of  9 
guns  !)  and  223  wounded  !  although  the  action  lasted 
above  6   hours.     For   this  brilliant  engagement,  (the 
^Spaniards  having  been  defeated,  and  a  number  of  their 
largest  ships  taken)   Admiral  Jervis  was  created   an 
^arl,  and  had  a  pension  allowed  him  by  the  the  kino-  of 
iiOOO  pounds  per  annum.     We  know  not  what  cSm- 
pensation  the  brave  Captain  Reid,  of  the  Armstrooff 
lias  or  Will  receive,  save  the  applause  of  his  country- 
men ;  but  this  we  do  know,  that  the  enemy  will  not 
very  soon  forget  him  and   his  valiant  crew,  for  the 
sound  drubbing  he  gave  them  in  Fayal  Roads,  on  the 
night  of  36th  September,  1814. 

Boston  Palladium. 


Extract  from  the  Evening  Post. 

The  General  Armstrong,  Sampson-like,  had,  during 
her  prosperity,  dealt  destruction  liberally  among  her 
foes.  But  as  his  strong  arm  in  death  inflicted  the  most 
signal  vengeance  upon  his  perfidious  enemies  to  our 
view  Armstrong  in  her  fall  dealt  the  most  dreadful 
felow  she  had  ever  given,  and  like  him, 

"  Heroically  finished 

A  life  heroic on  her  enemies 

Fully  revenged."  Trent,  T.  Am. 


Communication. 

December  I5ik,  1814 

It  may  have  escaped  the  recollection  of  many  that 

Captain  Lloyd  of  the  Plantagen.t  74,  who,  with  the  as- 

«wtance  of  the  Rota  fiigaic  and  Carnation  Sloop  of 

War,  recently  made  such  a  "  brilliant  dash" -in  tho 

6 


.ys^:^i.-^^  y 


I. 

1 


50 

destruction  of  the  General  Armstrong  privateer,  in  the 
port  of  Fayal,  is  the  same  Capt.  Lloyd,  of  the  same 
Plantagenet,  who  last  winter,  so  undauntedly  sailed 
towards  the  President,  44,  off  Sandy  Hook,  and  who 
so  politely  declined  the  combat  offered  by  that  frigate- 

Nat.  Intell. 


FINE  ARTS. 

The  medals  voted  by  congress  to  our  military  and 
naval  officers,  we  learn,  have  been  commenced,  and  are 
in  a  state  of  forwardness.  The  one  representing  the 
capture  of  the  Java  on  one  side,  and  a  bust  of  Commo- 
dore Bai abridge  on  the  reverse,  has  been  finished  by 
Mr.  Furst,  in  Philadelphia,  in  the  most  perfect  style  of 
execution,  and  is  a  distinguished  proof  of  the  advance- 
ment of  the  arts  in  this  country.  The  same  artist  has 
commenced  the  medal  of  Commodore  Perry,  and  will, 
likewise,  finish  one  representing  the  action  on  lake  Erie, 
by  order  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  which  has  appro- 
priated 2000  dollars  to  defray  the  expense.  The  series 
of  medals,  comprising  all  the  celebrated  merits  of  the 
war,  will  be  first  finished ;  after  which  we  learn  that  it 
is  the  intention  of  the  artist  to  perpetuate  some  of  our 
private  actions — among  which  will  be  a  representation 
of  the  attack  on  the  General  Armstrong  in  the  port  of 
Fayal. 


The  frigate  Essex  hasbeeu  repaired  and  carried  into 
Plymouth,  conveyed  by  the  Phcebe.  The?  General 
Armstrong  ought  to  be  got  there  too,  as  a  companion 
in  glory,  and  splendid  monument  of  the  gallantry  and 
magnanimity  of  John  Bull's  heroes.  Courage  and 
generosity  being  always  inseparable. 

From  HunCs  History, 
Now  the  loud  and  frightful  noise  of  war  sounded 
upon  the  bosom  of  the  great  deep ;  and  the  shores  of 
Columbia  knew  no  peace. 


<»Hwmill.ll    HKMIIm,, 


51 

The  dreadful  clangor  of  arms  run^a^  i^pon  the  land, 
and  echoed  from  the^  mountains ;  and  the  groans  of 
suffering  victims  floated  in  the  air  of  heaven. 

But  the  Lord  favoured  the  people  of  Columbia,  and 
their  armies  and  their  navy  gained  strength,  and  pros- 
perity was  showered  upon  them:  the  voice  of  war  be- 
came familiar  to  those  who  were  strangers  to  it  in  times 
past. 

Now  on  the  twenfy-sixth  day  of  the  ninth  month, 
being  in  the  thirty  and  ninth  year  of  Columbian  Inde- 
pendence. 

It  cam.e  to  pass,  that  a  certain  private  armed  vessel 
of  the  people  of  Columbia,  called  the  General  Arm- 
strong, commanded  by  Samuel^  whose  sur-name  was 

Reid, 

Had  cast  her  anchors  in  the  haven  of  Fayal,  an 
island  in  the  sea,  which  lieth  towards  the  rising  sun, 
about  iwo  thousand  miles  from  the  land  of  Columbia ; 

A  place  where,  two  score  and  ten  years  ago,  there 
was  a  mighty  earthquake;  and  where  poisonous  rep- 
tiles never  dwell. 

And  it  was  about  the  dusk  of  the  evening  when  Sa- 
muel saw  a  number  of  the  strong  vessels  of  Britain 
hemming  him  in,  so  he  drew  nigh  to  the  shore  for  safety, 
for  the  place  was  friendly  to  both  powers. 

Nevertheless,  the  boats  from  the  vessels  of  the  king 
went  against  Samuel  to  take  his  vessel;  but  with  his 
weapons  of  war  he  drove  them  off  and  slew  numbers 
of  them,  so  that  they  were  glad  to  return  to  their  strong 

ships. 

However  they  quickly  returned  with  a  greater  num- 
ber of  boats,  an'd  about  four  hundred  men;  and  Samu^ 
el  saw  them  and  prepared  to  meet  them. 

The  silver  beams  of  the  moon  danced  upon  the 
gently  rolling  waves  of  the  mighty  deep,  and  the  sound 
of  the  oar  again  broke  the  sweet  silence  of  night. 

But,  whonthoy  cnmo  nigh  the  vessel  of  Samuel,  the 
men  of  Columbia  poured  out  destruction  upon  them 
with  a  plentiful  hand  ; 

Inasmuch  as  they  were  again  compelled  to  depart  to 
their  strong  vessels,  with  dreadful  loss. 


t-. 


I 


.52 

However,  about  the  dawning  of  the  day,  one  of  the- 
strong"  vessels,  called  the  Carnation,  came  agamst  the 
vessel  of  Columbia,  and  let  her  destroying  engines 
loose  with  great  furj. 

Now  Lloyd,  who  commanded  the  Plantagenct,  was 
the  chief  captain  of  the  squadron  of  the  king,  in  the 
place;  and  he  violated  the  law  of  nations. 

So  when  Samuel  saw  that  the  whole  fleet  of  Britain 
were  bent  on  destroying  his  vessel,  in  defiance  of  the 
plighted  honour  of  nations,  he  ordered  her  to  be  sunk. 

After  which  he  and  his  brave  mariners  deserted  her, 
and  went  upon  the  shore;  and  the  servants  of  the  king 
came  and  burnt  her  with  fire  in  the  neutral  port  of  FayaL, 
Nevertheless,  they  received  the  reward  of  their  un- 
righteousness, for  much  damage  vv^as  done  to  their  ves- 
sels, and  their  slain  and  wounded  were  two  hundred- 
two  score  and  ten. 

Of  the  people  of  Columbia  two  only  were  slain  and 
seven  maimed !  ! 

And   the  valiant  deeds  of  Samuel   gained   hiia  a 
name  amongst  the  brave  men  of  Columbia. 


H.  R.   115. 


MARCH  4,     1818. 

Read  twice  and  committed  to  a  committee  of  the  whole 
House  on  Monday  next. 


A  BH.L 

Authorizing  a  sum  of  money  lo  he.  distrihu led  among 

the  ojficers  and  creio  of  the  late  private  armed  brig, 

General  Jlrmstrong. 

I       Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Repre^ 
3  senta  fives  of  the  United  States  af  Ameriea  in   Con- 


\A 


5S 

3  ^rc55   assembled,   That  the  sum  of  ten  thousand 

4  dollais  shall  be,  and  is  hereby,  appropriated,  out  ot 

5  any  money  in  the  Treasury,  not  otherwise  appro- 

6  priated;  which  sum  shall  be  paid  to  Cap.  b.  L. 

7  Reid,    to  be  bv  him  distributed  as  prize  money, 

8  amon^  tho  ofiicers  and  crew  of   the  late  private 

9  brig  the  General  Armstrong,  and  the  rcpresenta- 
1 0     tives  of  such  as  may  be  dead. 


THE  GENERAL  ARMSTRONG,  A  NEW  SONG. 

Composed  hy  the   officer*   of  the   General  Armstrong,  off  Fayai 

Tune—"  vive-la." 


Come,  listen  to  a  gallant  action, 

Which  was  fought  in  Fayal  Bay, 
By  the  Saucy  General  Armstrong: 

From  eight  P.  M,  'till  break  of  day. 
CHORUS. 
Hail !  the  saucy  General  Armstrong : 

Reid's  immortalized  her  name— 
Her  cannon  dealt  death  and  destructioa 

To  furbish  young  Columbia's  fame. 
3 
Phmtagenet,  Rota,  and  Carnation 

Thought  with  iu-r  t(»  have  rare  sport 
Sent  in  their  boats,  with  an  intention 

To  cut  her  out  of  a  neutral  port. 

CHORUS. 

Hail,  &c. 

3 
At  eight,  four  boats  commonc'd  tho  action. 

Which  fifteen  mintites'  work  laid  low  ; 
Quarters  next  came  in  rotation, 
Which  on  tliem  we  did  bestow. 

CHORUS. 

Hnil,  &c. 


54 


i 


Fourteen  boats,  with  men  four  hundred, 
At  midnight  made  the  grand  attack ; 

In  forty  minutes,  half  Iheir  number 
Were  killed  and  wounded,  falling  back. 

CHORUS. 

Hail,  &c. 

5 

Britons  killed  in  both  engagements, 
Amounted  to  two  hundred  men  : 

Fifty  more  of  them  were  wounded — 
The  rest  retreated  hack  again. 

CHORUS. 

Hail,  Sac. 

6. 

Tbe  number  killed  on  board  the  General, 

It  doth  grieve  na  to  rel  ito 
The  falling  of  Lieutenant  Williaras, 

And  cue  man  we  do  regret. 

CHORUS, 
Hail,  &c. 

7. 

Two  Lieutenants  more  were  wounded, 
And  likewise  five  of  our  men; 

But  we've  got  them  safely  landed, 
And  recovering  fast  again, 

CHORUS. 

Hail,  <&c. 

8. 
Then  at  break  of  day  next  morning, 

The  sloop  of  war  got  underway 
And  opened  her  broadside  upon  us, 

British  courage  to  display. 

CHORUS. 


Hail,  &c. 


9. 


Lest  she  should  fiill  in  their  possession, 
We  thought  it  prudent  her  to  sink ; 
Which  was  put  in  execution, 
Aad  thus  the  General  became  extinct 
CHORUS. 
Hail,  kc. 


i. 


46 

10 

Then  by  the  British  she  was  boarded, 
(Who  finding  her  partly  destroyed) 
Set  her  on  fire,  wlien  thus  abandoned 
By  command  of  Captain  Lloyd. 

CHORUS. 
Hail,  &c. 

11 
Altho'  we  could  not  save  the  General, 

Columbia's  fame  we  held  in  view : 
We  have  chastis'd  the  haughty  Britons 
With  our  little  YANKEE  CREW. 
CHORUS. 
Hail !  the  saucy  General  Armstrong,  Stc. 


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